OpenAI has entered into a collaboration with News Corp, allowing the artificial intelligence (AI) company to access the publisher's extensive content library. This deal is part of a broader trend in the industry where AI firms seek partnerships to enhance their data resources.
Under this agreement, OpenAI will be able to utilize content from a range of News Corp's publications. This includes both current and archived material from prominent outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, MarketWatch, Investor's Business Daily, The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Australian, news.com.au, The Courier Mail, The Advertiser, and Herald Sun. Notably, the deal does not extend to other business ventures under the News Corp umbrella.
Enhancing AI Models with Quality Content
The primary objective of this partnership is to improve OpenAI's models by training them on high-quality journalistic content. This will enable the AI to provide more accurate responses to user queries and cite reliable sources. This approach represents a shift towards obtaining explicit permission for content usage, a strategy that could mitigate legal risks. OpenAI has previously faced scrutiny over allegations of unauthorized use of celebrity voices and lack of transparency regarding its data sources.
Financial and Industry Implications
The financial terms of the deal are speculated to be around $250 million over five years. This partnership aims to provide users with trustworthy information and news, potentially influencing the media landscape. However, there are concerns about the impact on the balance of power within the industry. The Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University has raised alarms about the increasing influence of tech companies in the news sector, which could undermine the independence of publishers and their revenue models.
