Several Australian news organisations are in discussions with artificial intelligence (AI) companies over licensing agreements for the use of their content.
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks revealed that AI developer Anthropic has approached the broadcaster seeking licences for audio and video content—including recordings that capture the way Australians speak—for use in developing AI models.
Executives from ABC, SBS, Nine, and News Corp Australia attended the annual Andrew Olle Media Lecture on 21 July, where they discussed the challenges and opportunities AI presents for journalism, as well as the future of the media industry.
Marks said journalism is a public good that must be protected. He warned that if society fails to recognise the ongoing investment news organisations make in reporting and newsgathering, it will undermine the public’s access to reliable information and ultimately have negative consequences for the country.
He argued that AI companies seeking to use news content to train models or provide information services should enter into formal licensing agreements with news organisations to protect the rights of content creators. At the same time, he acknowledged the need to strike a “delicate balance” between advancing AI technology and ensuring Australians continue to have access to high-quality news and information.
The SBS Managing Director also stressed that while news organisations have a responsibility to provide public information, this does not mean AI companies should be allowed to use news content free of charge for model training. She said the Australian news industry is united in its position that journalistic content should be protected by copyright, and that AI companies must obtain legal permission through licensing agreements before using such material.
As generative AI continues to develop rapidly, licensing arrangements between media organisations and AI companies remain a major global issue. Australian news outlets are actively negotiating with technology firms in an effort to develop partnership models that balance innovation, the value of original content, and the long-term sustainability of the news industry.