‘Bad manners’: Bernard Fanning on AI robbing Australian music

Powderfinger lead singer Bernard Fanning discusses what happens when machines are trained on our songs, and who gets to tell Australian stories, us or AI. 

Jul 06, 2026, updated Jul 06, 2026

For generations of Australians, Powderfinger songs are tied to first loves, long drives, share houses, break-ups and summers that still feel close enough to touch. 

They were written by people, played by a band and carried by listeners into their own lives. 

Now, that music has been found inside the machinery of artificial intelligence, harvested into vast datasets without permission and without payment. 

At the same time, the federal government is fending off whistleblower claims of a “dirty deal” with tech giants that would give AI access to Australian music and art in exchange for billion dollar investments.

Today, Powderfinger lead singer Bernard Fanning discusses what happens when machines are trained on our songs, and who gets to tell Australian stories, us or AI. 

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Guest: Bernard Fanning

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