What to know

  • The New York Times has signed a $25 million licensing deal with Amazon, marking its first agreement to allow its content to be used for AI training.
  • The deal permits Amazon to use NYT content to train its generative AI models, but does not allow direct reproduction of articles.
  • This agreement comes after the Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft in December for copyright infringement.

The New York Times has reached its first licensing agreement for artificial intelligence, signing a deal with Amazon worth $25 million. This landmark agreement allows Amazon to use New York Times content to train its generative AI models.

According to sources familiar with the deal, the agreement specifically permits Amazon to use Times content for AI training purposes. However, it does not allow Amazon's AI systems to directly reproduce Times articles in response to user queries.

The deal comes after the Times filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft in December. In that lawsuit, the newspaper accused the companies of using millions of Times articles without permission to train their AI systems.

Unlike some other news organizations, the Times has taken a more cautious approach to AI partnerships. While outlets like News Corp, Axel Springer, and the Associated Press have already signed deals with AI companies, the Times has been more selective.

The Times' CEO Meredith Kopit Levien has previously emphasized that any AI deals must align with the company's business goals. She stated that the Times would only consider partnerships that provide fair value for the use of its content.

Amazon has been working to expand its AI capabilities, developing its own large language models and integrating AI features into its products. This deal gives Amazon access to the Times' high-quality journalism to improve its AI systems.

Neither the New York Times nor Amazon has officially commented on the deal. The agreement represents a significant step in the evolving relationship between traditional media companies and technology firms developing AI systems.

The $25 million valuation of the deal indicates the growing recognition of the value of quality content for training AI models. As AI technology continues to develop, more such agreements between content creators and technology companies are likely to emerge.

Via: theverge.com