The Financial Times and OpenAI have announced a strategic partnership and licensing agreement to integrate the newspaper’s journalism into ChatGPT and collaborate on developing new AI products for FT readers. Despite this partnership, OpenAI is still criticized for scraping information from the web without permission.
Under the deal, ChatGPT users will access selected summaries, quotes, and links to FT journalism. The FT became a customer of ChatGPT Enterprise, providing access for all employees.
FT Group CEO John Ridding stated, “This agreement recognizes the value of our journalism and gives us insights into how content is surfaced through AI.”
In 2023, technology companies faced lawsuits and criticism for using copyrighted material to train AI models. OpenAI faced backlash for training its models on internet data without consent, leading to a lawsuit from The New York Times.
Ridding emphasized the FT’s commitment to human journalism, noting the agreement would broaden the reach of its newsroom’s work and deepen the understanding of reader interests.
Ridding added, “OpenAI understands the importance of transparency, attribution, and compensation – all essential for us.”
The New York Times reported OpenAI was using scripts from YouTube videos to train its models, violating copyright laws. OpenAI argues its use of online content falls under fair use.
OpenAI’s COO, Brad Lightcap, expressed enthusiasm about the FT partnership, aiming to empower news organizations and enrich the ChatGPT experience.
The agreement between OpenAI and the Financial Times is part of OpenAI’s collaborations with major news publishers worldwide, enabling it to continue training its algorithms on web content with necessary permissions.
Ridding said the FT values “the opportunity to be inside the development loop as people discover content in new ways” and emphasized the importance of quality journalism and protecting the FT’s content and brand.
The FT has embraced new technologies throughout its history and will continue to operate with curiosity and vigilance as it navigates this next wave of change.