ARIA responds to the Prime Minister’s AI address

Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) CEO, Annabelle Herd, issued the following statement welcoming the Prime Minister’s commitment to Australian creators, made in his address on artificial intelligence at the University of Sydney today:

“The Prime Minister could not have been clearer: Australian writers and musicians keep ownership and control of their work. Artists control what that work is worth, not the Government and not a technology company.

“Control of price, value and terms of use are what underpin a commercial licensing market. The artist decides what their work is worth and who may use it. That is how licensing works everywhere else in the world and it is how it should work here. In the Prime Minister’s words: anything less is theft.” she said.

“This is clear message to AI companies: now is the time to get on with licensing. Right now deals are being signed across music, journalism and publishing around the world. Australia’s creative industries are ready do business,” Ms Herd continued.