“It’s f***ing bad manners” Bernard Fanning on AI robbing Australian music
Jul 6, 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, Bernard Fanning on what happens when machines are trained on our songs, and who gets to tell Australian stories, us or AI.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
“It’s f***ing bad manners” Bernard Fanning on AI robbing Australian music
1974 • Jul 6, 2026
“It’s f***ing bad manners” Bernard Fanning on AI robbing Australian music
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, Bernard Fanning on what happens when machines are trained on our songs, and who gets to tell Australian stories, us or AI.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Guest: Bernard Fanning
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7am is a daily show from Solstice Media.
It’s made by Arielle Richards, Atticus Bastow, Chris Dengate, Daniel James, Krystal Keller, Ruby Jones, Travis Evans and Zoltan Fecso.
Our theme music is by Ned Beckley and Josh Hogan of Envelope Audio.