Axel Springer SE has entered into an agreement with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, allowing the use of content from its news outlets. This deal will enable OpenAI to develop artificial intelligence models and respond to user queries using content from publications such as Politico, Business Insider, Bild, and Die Welt. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
OpenAI plans to utilize Axel Springer’s news content within its popular AI tool, ChatGPT, to generate answers for users’ questions. The responses will include proper attribution and links to the full articles, underscoring transparency and providing additional information.
Axel Springer’s Chief Executive Officer, Mathias Döpfner, expressed enthusiasm about the possibilities this collaboration presents for AI journalism. We want to explore the opportunities of AI empowered journalism – to bring quality, societal relevance, and the business model of journalism to the next level, Döpfner explained.
While this partnership marks a significant development, it is not the first of its kind for OpenAI. In July, the organization formed a licensing agreement with the Associated Press to leverage its news story archive for AI model development. Furthermore, OpenAI secured a $5 million deal with the American Journalism Project to explore AI implementation in news distribution.
Despite these advancements, some publishers remain cautious about embracing generative AI. Concerns are raised regarding proper compensation for the use of news content in AI model creation. Furthermore, there are apprehensions about the potential fabrication of news through the utilization of this technology. Due to data collection concerns, certain European media outlets, including Radio France, have chosen to block OpenAI’s tools. The Figaro in France has explicitly stated that it will not employ generative AI in its news writing processes.
By establishing partnerships with renowned publishers like Axel Springer and the Associated Press, OpenAI is striving to advance AI capabilities while still respecting the concerns and complexities within the journalism industry. In doing so, they aim to strike a balance between innovation and maintaining the integrity of news production.
As the implementation of AI in journalism continues to evolve, it is crucial to consider both the interests of publishers and the needs of consumers. OpenAI’s commitment to attribution and transparency is a positive step toward ensuring that AI-powered news delivery remains reliable, credible, and accountable.
