Leah Flanagan of APRA AMCOS emphasizes that Indigenous artists did not consent to AI training of their work and that Indigenous knowledge and language must be safeguarded, calling for Indigenous-centered policy development.

APRA AMCOS’s AI and Music Report warns of a 23% potential revenue loss for ANZ songwriters and composers without a mandatory licensing framework, potentially exceeding $500 million over four years.

The findings reinforce the push for a mandatory licensing framework for AI use of music, as opposed to carve-outs, to prevent substantial earnings losses.

A new investigation by The Atlantic’s AI Watchdog reveals that millions of songs by Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand artists have been used to train AI systems without consent, licences, or payments, spread across four large song data sets.

APRA AMCOS identifies prominent artists such as Midnight Oil, Cold Chisel, Sia, INXS, Kylie Minogue, Nick Cave, and Tame Impala as being involved in these datasets, with early findings suggesting a broader scope to be uncovered.

The Atlantic’s AI dataset tool now lets users check whether their own work appears in these AI datasets, underscoring the scale and reach of the data issue for global artists.

APRA AMCOS and industry groups are pushing for a genuine licensing framework, arguing that licensing must be fair, transparent, and remunerative rather than permitting permissive carve-outs.

Australia has rejected a proposed AI copyright exception, heightening calls from rights holders for licensing agreements as AI policy debates continue in Australia and New Zealand.

In October last year, Australia rejected a copyright exception for AI platforms, and APRA AMCOS says major tech platforms have not engaged in licensing negotiations.

Indigenous Australian and Māori music are singled out as being at risk, with APRA AMCOS and cultural leaders stressing the need to protect cultural heritage and intellectual property.

Industry advocates are urging immediate legal clarity to shield creators’ rights as AI use in music expands.

Australian and Aotearoa creators face significant potential revenue losses if licensing isn’t established, with estimates of 23% and over $500 million in four years.