AP and OpenAI Join Forces to Develop Algorithmic Models Over Two-Year Period

OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, has entered into a news-sharing agreement with The Associated Press (AP), but the purpose is not what one might assume. Instead of generating content with AI chatbots, the agreement aims to assist OpenAI in training its algorithmic models. Axios reported that this two-year deal grants OpenAI access to specific news content and technology from the AP archives, spanning as far back as 1985. By utilizing this valuable data, OpenAI intends to enhance the effectiveness of future versions of ChatGPT and associated tools.

This is one of the first high-profile partnerships between a major news organization and an AI company. Both companies are still working out the details, but it appears that AP will gain access to OpenAI’s proprietary technology as part of the exchange. The AP has long relied on automation technology for its news reporting, so it will likely use OpenAI’s technology to streamline and improve that process.

The AP doesn’t use generative AI to write articles, but it does use similar techniques to automate corporate earnings reports and coverage of local sporting events, among other types of articles. In addition, the organization uses these tools to translate weather warnings into Spanish. The AP launched an AI tool earlier this year to help clients, which are mostly other newsrooms, search for relevant photos, videos and stories. This software allows customers to query using descriptive language instead of dry metadata. In other words, access to OpenAI’s treasure trove of data should dramatically improve this experience.

As for OpenAI, they apparently plan to expand the news in the future, and this partnership gives them plenty of legally acquired data to work with. Artificial intelligence threatens to overturn traditional news business models, but according to the AP, it “supports a framework that ensures intellectual property is protected and content creators are fairly compensated for their work.” The organization also says newsrooms “must have a seat at the table” to ensure they are not taken advantage of.