Today marks a monumental moment in the legal landscape surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) as The New York Times (NYT) has launched a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft. This action, filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan, alleges that millions of NYT’s articles were used to train AI chatbots, which now rival the news outlet as a source of information. Although the lawsuit does not specify any monetary demands, it insists on billions in damages for the “unlawful copying and use” of NYT’s content and seeks the destruction of any AI models and training data incorporating the outlet’s copyrighted materials.
The Times had previously approached the companies in April, seeking a resolution that might involve a commercial agreement and technological safeguards. Unfortunately, these discussions did not yield a satisfactory outcome. In response to the lawsuit, OpenAI expressed disappointment, stating their commitment to respecting content creators’ rights and finding mutually beneficial solutions. Microsoft, on the other hand, declined to comment.
This lawsuit could reshape the use of AI in the news industry, as companies like OpenAI, valued at over $80 billion, use a wide array of online texts to train their chatbots. The Times argues that these tech firms are free-riding on its journalistic investment to create products that directly compete with the newspaper, stealing its audience. It also brings into focus broader concerns about the use of intellectual property by AI systems, such as AI-generated content mimicking natural language and the unremunerated use of creative work.
Furthermore, the case highlights the potential competition AI systems pose to news outlets. It notes instances where chatbots provided information based on NYT’s journalism without proper attribution or access, potentially impacting the newspaper’s web traffic and revenue streams. Additionally, it raises concerns about AI “hallucinations,” where chatbots disseminate false information attributed to reliable sources like The Times, potentially damaging the outlet’s credibility.
This lawsuit by The New York Times is an incredibly groundbreaking and exciting event in the ongoing conversation about AI, intellectual property, and the future of journalism. It will undoubtedly have a major impact on the legal landscape surrounding AI, and the effects of it will be felt for many years to come. It is an inspiring moment for all those who seek to protect the rights of content creators and ensure the responsible use of AI systems.
