OpenAI Signs A Multi-year Global Partnership With News Corp

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), the amazing offshoot of artificial intelligence (AI), saw industries, professionals, business owners, artists and almost everyone go gaga over its capabilities.

GenAI gained prominence soon after OpenAI released its super capable ChatGPT to the public, which saw it pick up a million users within just five days.

In just two months, the wonder tool acquired 100 million users.

This, however, is news from over a year ago. Reading it now doesn’t provide the current picture of the widely popular tool. Quite like one of the limitations of the tool itself.

One of the issues reported by users and experts about ChatGPT and many other tools like it, was that it provided old information and hadn’t kept up with current affairs and the latest news.

On December 13, 2023, OpenAI announced it was set to “right that wrong” by signing a partnership with Axel Springer, the parent company of media brands such as Politico, Business Insider, Bild, Welt and others. The idea was to use recent and authoritative content and summaries of selected global news content to enrich users’ experience with ChatGPT.

Soon after, OpenAI signed a deal with The Financial Times, licensing its content to be used to develop generative AI models and answer queries using content from the media house. This added to the tie-up with Axel Springer, as well as a previous agreement with France's Le Monde and Spain’s Prisa Media.

Now, OpenAI is here with another announcement that’s set to improve its products.

So, what did OpenAI reveal? Let’s explore!
 

What Did OpenAI Announce?

 

• “We’re joining forces with News Corp to support the highest journalistic standards and enrich our products with its premium journalism” read the opening line of OpenAI’s news release announcing it had signed a multi-year global partnership with publication giant News Corp.

• As per the deal, OpenAI will be able to bring News Corp’s news content to OpenAI.

• OpenAI will also be able to display content appearing on News Corp’s mastheads when answering questions.

• The main aim of the move is to provide people with “the ability to make informed choices based on reliable information and news sources.”

• The move will see OpenAI receive access to current and archived content from News Corp’s brands, including The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, MarketWatch, Investor’s Business Daily, and FN, as well as the New York Post’s The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun.

• Adding to the list is The Australian, news.com.au, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail, The Advertiser, Herald Sun and others.

• However, the deal excludes access to content from other businesses owned by News Corp.

• Ahead of this, News Corp will bring its journalistic expertise to improve journalism standards across OpenAI products.

• While commercial details of the deal weren’t shared, News Corp’s Wall Street Journal reported that the partnership could be worth over $250 million over five years, which would include cash payments and credits for using OpenAI’s technology.

• Furthermore, the exact nature of how the content would be presented is unclear but as per an OpenAI spokesperson, it would contain links to the company’s news sites.

• Additionally, the news content would only show up on OpenAI platforms after a delay.

 

What Did Stakeholders Say?

 

• Robert Thomson, the CEO of News Corp., said, “We believe an historic agreement will set new standards for veracity, for virtue and for value in the digital age. We are delighted to have found principled partners in Sam Altman and his trusty, talented team who understand the commercial and social significance of journalists and journalism.”

• [Contd.] “This landmark accord is not an end, but the beginning of a beautiful friendship in which we are jointly committed to creating and delivering insight and integrity instantaneously.”

• Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said, “Our partnership with News Corp is a proud moment for journalism and technology. We greatly value News Corp’s history as a leader in reporting breaking news around the world, and are excited to enhance our users’ access to its high quality reporting.”

• [Contd.] “Together, we are setting the foundation for a future where AI deeply respects, enhances, and upholds the standards of world-class journalism.”

Do you think this move by OpenAI will help it improve its offerings and gain a better market share and position than its competitors? Do you think OpenAI’s rivals should consider makins similar moves?

Let us know in the comments below!