Art ‘must not be sacrificed on the altar of corporate profit’ Liberal senator says as AI policy debate rages

Andrew McLachlan says he chooses ‘real forests over virtual ones’ as he urges Labor government to consider AI’s impact on artists and environment

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Outspoken Liberal senator Andrew McLachlan has raised the alarm about the approach of his party and the Labor government to AI, urging artists’ copyright not be “sacrificed” for investment and that building new datacentres must not be prioritised above environmental concerns.

As Labor considers copyright changes in an AI policy suite including datacentres, online safety, energy resources and economic benefits, the South Australian backbencher added weight to mooted constitutional challenges as to whether watering down copyright law would be an illegal acquisition of property.

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