Anthropic, an American artificial intelligence safety and research company, has reportedly entered into its first data center lease deal in Australia. Local media reports say that the project involves a long term commitment at the Western Downs Digital Park (WDDP) in Queensland.
Capital Brief reports that the project is being built by Singapore-based investment firm AGP’s Zerra DC, and that the capacity is expected to begin coming online in 2027. The facility is expected to have a peak capacity of 2.16 GW. WDDP is proposed as a “staged, master-planned digital and energy precinct, bringing together AI-ready data centers, energy infrastructure and a high-quality workplace environment within a campus setting.” The broader master plan provides for up to four data center phases.
The news comes amidst growing concerns over copyright of data being used to train AI, after leaked government documents reveal how AI giants can dodge the copyright bullet.
Just yesterday, ABC was the first to reveal that AI companies would be allowed to train their models on online content without paying its creators as long as they struck deals with enough rights holders, under one copyright reform plan put forward in government documents seen by the publication.
Now, the Australian Financial Review has reported that it has seen “copyright proposals under consideration by Attorney-General Michelle Rowland” which allow AI giants to train their models on all online content without having to pay creators, as long as they struck deals with enough rights holders. It quotes excerpts from the document: “Once Mandatory Data Access Arrangements quota has been met, AI companies can access statutory permission/safe harbour to use unprotected material on the internet for training purposes only. No additional [money] would be payable to creators or rights holders beyond deals negotiated to achieve quota.”
However, Capital Brief says that Anthropic’s facility will be an AI inference data center and not an AI training facility. Neither Anthropic nor Zerra DC have made any official announcement regarding the project so far.