Australia launches Office of AI with new data‑centre and creator‑rights rules

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the creation of a dedicated Office of AI within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. The office will oversee the development of Australian Standards for AI, a framework intended to guide AI development, ensure national security, and attract investment. The plan includes pioneering regulations for large data centres, obliging operators to underwrite their own power supply, cover grid‑connection costs, minimise water use and adopt renewable energy sources.

The initiative also promises strong protections for Australian creators – writers, musicians, artists and journalists – requiring explicit licensing before their works can be used to train AI models. Albanese described any unlicensed use as “theft”. The standards are expected to be legislated early next year and reviewed by the National Cabinet in August. The government’s move follows lobbying by U.S. AI firm Anthropic and criticism that the policy adds bureaucracy, while environmental groups call for a moratorium on new data‑centre projects until safeguards are in place.