FT Partners with OpenAI to Train AI with Journalism
The Financial Times (FT) has entered into a significant agreement with OpenAI the developer behind ChatGPT, allowing its content to be utilized in the training of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This collaboration marks a strategic move in the realm of AI development and news dissemination, with implications for both the technology and journalism industries.
Deal Overview:
Under the terms of the deal, the FT will receive compensation, the specifics of which remain undisclosed, from OpenAI. This agreement is part of a series of deals established between OpenAI and various news publishers, emphasizing the growing importance of AI in content creation and consumption.
Content Integration:
As a result of this partnership, users of ChatGPT will have access to summaries, quotes, and article links sourced from FT journalism within their responses to prompts. This integration aims to enhance the depth and reliability of information provided by AI-generated responses.
Publisher Compensation:
John Ridding, CEO of the FT Group, expressed support for AI companies compensating publishers for their content. He emphasized the significance of transparency, attribution, and compensation in ensuring the integrity of journalism within AI-driven products.
Previous Agreements:
OpenAI has previously established similar agreements with prominent news agencies such as the Associated Press, Le Monde, Prisa Media, and Axel Springer. These collaborations underscore OpenAI's commitment to representing quality journalism in its AI products.
OpenAI's Perspective:
Brad Lightcap, Chief Operating Officer of OpenAI, highlighted the importance of incorporating quality journalism into AI products. He acknowledged the potential for advancements and challenges in transformative technologies while emphasizing the irreversible nature of progress.
Copyright Concerns:
While AI-powered tools like ChatGPT lead innovations in generative AI, concerns regarding copyright infringement have surfaced. Authors and content owners, including notable figures like Jodi Picoult and George RR Martin, have filed lawsuits against OpenAI for unauthorized use of their copyrighted material.
Transparency and Responsibility:
In response to these concerns, FT Editor Roula Khalaf emphasized responsible experimentation with AI tools within the newsroom. She pledged transparency in utilizing AI technologies while reaffirming the central role of human journalists in news production.
