Screen Producers Australia has today welcomed the findings of the Senate Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence’s final report, which outlines measures to regulate high-risk AI applications while protecting Australian creators and rights holders.
The report emphasises transparency in AI systems, fair remuneration for creators, and the need for comprehensive legislation to govern high-risk AI technologies, including large language models.
SPA CEO Matthew Deaner described the recommendations as pivotal in addressing the challenges AI poses to Australia’s screen and creative sectors, saying:
“This report is a vital step forward in addressing the opportunities and challenges AI presents to Australia’s creative industries. By calling for stronger protections for creators and rightsholders, the Committee has set a clear pathway for fostering innovation while safeguarding the livelihoods of those who bring Australian stories to life”
he said.
Among the key proposals, the report advocates for clear licensing and payment mechanisms for creators whose work is used in AI training datasets, as well as ongoing consultation with creative industries to combat unauthorised use of copyrighted materials.
Key recommendations supported by SPA include:
- Regulating High-Risk AI: The introduction of dedicated legislation to regulate high-risk AI uses, ensuring general-purpose AI models like large language models are appropriately classified and governed.
- Safeguarding Creators: Measures requiring AI developers to be transparent about the use of copyrighted works in training datasets and mandating appropriate licensing and remuneration for creators and rightsholders whose work underpins AI-generated outputs.
- Strengthening Copyright Protections: Continued consultation with creative workers and rightsholders through the Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Reference Group (CAIRG) to address the theft of creative works by multinational tech companies.
In addition to measures targeting high-risk AI and copyright protections, the Senate Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence recommended stronger regulations for automated decision-making (ADM). These include ensuring transparency in ADM processes, retaining human oversight in critical decision-making to prevent bias, and establishing liability frameworks for harms caused by AI systems.
The report also highlights the need for environmental safeguards to address the energy and water use associated with AI, proposing updated building standards for data centres and incentives for renewable energy adoption.
A full copy of the Select Committee on Adopting Artificial Intelligence report can be found here.
