The Financial Times has become the latest news organization to partner with OpenAI, signing a content licensing agreement to train artificial intelligence models and develop new AI products. This deal adds the UK-based publisher to OpenAI's growing list of content providers, which includes the Associated Press, Axel Springer, Le Monde, and El País.
Richard Banfield
Under the terms of the agreement, the FT will license its archived content to OpenAI, allowing the AI company to train its models on the publisher's material. This will enable ChatGPT to generate text, images, and code that closely resemble human-created content. Additionally, ChatGPT users will be able to access short summaries of FT articles in response to relevant queries, with links directing them back to the original source on FT.com.
FT Group CEO John Ridding emphasized the importance of the deal, stating that it recognizes the value of the publisher's award-winning journalism and provides early insights into how content is surfaced through AI. He also highlighted the broader implications for the industry, stressing the significance of AI platforms paying publishers for the use of their material and the importance of transparency, attribution, and compensation. Additionally, the FT will have access to ChatGPT Enterprise, allowing its employees to become well-versed in the technology and explore its potential for enhancing creativity and productivity.
OpenAI's chief operating officer, Brad Lightcap, expressed the company's commitment to finding creative and productive ways for AI to empower news organizations and journalists while enriching the ChatGPT experience with real-time, high-quality journalism for millions of users worldwide.
While the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, similar agreements, such as the one between OpenAI and Axel Springer, are expected to generate tens of millions of euros annually for the publishers. These deals typically include a one-off payment for historical content and a larger annual licensing fee for access to more up-to-date information.
The move by the FT and other publishers to collaborate with OpenAI comes amid legal challenges, with the New York Times suing the AI company and Microsoft for alleged unauthorized use of its copyrighted content. As the AI industry continues to evolve, news media groups are actively engaging in discussions with AI companies to establish licensing contracts and explore the potential of generative AI in the realm of journalism.