Thomas Mitchell: when your book is used to train AI platforms without permission

14 April 2025

American tech company Meta has been using the works of Australian authors — and no doubt many writers worldwide — to train its AI platforms. This happens, apparently, without consultation with the authors, and certainly — to date — without any payment. Australian author Thomas Mitchell (Instagram link), of Today I F****d Up fame, writes first-hand about the experience:

I have very little in common with Australian author Tim Winton. He has written many books, and I have written one. His titles are bestsellers; my book was mainly purchased by friends and family. He loves the ocean, whereas I am happier on land. Despite our differences, it turns out both Tim Winton and I are part of the same unfortunate club: Australian authors being ripped off by Meta.

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artificial intelligence, Australian literature, books, technology, Thomas Mitchell