“More Than Just Objects”: Australian Booksellers Alarmed by “Horrific” Destruction of Rare Titles for AI

Australian booksellers have raised alarm after rare book titles were reportedly destroyed to supply text for AI training. They described the practice as “horrific,” saying it goes beyond routine recycling by eliminating irreplaceable works. The sellers argued that rare editions carry historical and cultural value that cannot be reproduced, and they criticized a lack of transparency around how material is selected and handled. The issue has sparked calls for stronger safeguards, alternative licensing, and clearer rules on sourcing for AI datasets.