OpenAI and The Associated Press (AP) have reportedly announced a collaboration, where OpenAI will acquire a license to access APs vast news archive. The financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed yet.
According to a joint statement, OpenAI will license a portion of AP's text archive, while the news firm will benefit from OpenAI's advanced tech and product expertise. OpenAI will gain access to AP news stories dating back to 1985.
Although AP doesn't currently utilize generative AI in its news articles, the organization has been using other variants of AI technology for nearly a decade. These applications include generating corporate earnings reports and offering recaps of sporting events. The firm has also initiated a program to help local news organizations integrate AI into their operations and has recently introduced an AI-powered image archive search feature.
However, the rise of these tools has raised concerns about fair compensation for news organizations and other creators whose work was used to train these AI models, including written content, music, artwork, and other creative output.
On July 13, reports from the Washington Post and the New York Times indicated that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had launched an investigation into OpenAI regarding potential violations of consumer protection laws. The investigation revolves around allegations of scraping public data and publishing false information through OpenAI's chatbot.
Both OpenAI and AP have stated that they are exploring potential use cases for generative AI in news products and services, although specific details were not provided. The companies emphasize their commitment to responsible creation and use of AI systems, according to the joint statement.
The AP deal is significant for OpenAI as it provides a valuable resource for training purposes and acts as a safeguard against potential access limitations due to ongoing lawsuits. News industry analyst Ken Doctor highlights that the effects of this deal could extend beyond AP due to the organization's size and deep connections with other news outlets.