Associated Press lets OpenAI train on its articles

The Associated Press partnered with OpenAI, enabling the latter to train its AI on news articles. The deal enables the publication to explore new ways to apply AI to its products and services. Meanwhile, it is an opportunity for the AI firm to enhance its large language models further. AP says it does not use generative AI to write news stories.

More companies are exploring improving their operations and gaining customers with artificial intelligence. Consequently, more companies like AP work with AI firms to explore these opportunities. Some people fear AI will replace jobs; others believe it can’t.

You must prepare for these changes as an employee or a business owner. Expect similar changes to affect you as a consumer. This article helps by elaborating on the OpenAI and Associated Press partnership.

What is the Associated Press-OpenAI deal?

Associated Press, OpenAI partner to explore generative AI use in news https://t.co/IGtoWaCyfw pic.twitter.com/ypRw297ol8

— Reuters (@Reuters) July 13, 2023

On June 13, 2023, the Associated Press and OpenAI shared a joint statement about their latest partnership. Read what the companies said below:

“The arrangement sees OpenAI licensing part of AP’s text achieve, while AP will leverage OpenAI’s technology and product expertise.”

“We are pleased that OpenAI recognizes that fact-based, nonpartisan news content is essential to this evolving technology and that they respect the value of our intellectual property.”

“AP firmly supports a framework that will ensure intellectual property is protected, and content creators are fairly compensated for their work.”

Their press release specified, “OpenAI will have access to AP news stories going back to 1995.” Moreover, Nick Diakopoulos, a communications studies and computer science professor at Northwestern University, explained how the publication benefits from the deal.

“In order to guard against how the courts may decide, maybe you want to go out and sign licensing deals so you’re guaranteed legal access to the material you’ll need,” Diakopoulos stated.

The AP deal provides OpenAI with a plethora of material for training its ChatGPT LLM. Also, the tech firm can avoid losing material as lawsuits threaten its access.

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The news outlet mentioned the US Federal Trade Commission told the AI company it is investigating whether it deceptively or unfairly obtained data. Moreover, the FTC will verify whether it caused harm by publishing false info with its chatbot.

Book authors also sought compensation for their works after OpenAI allegedly used them to train its AI systems. Nora Roberts, Jodi Picoult, Louise Erdrich, Margaret Atwood, and over 4,000 writers signed a letter to various tech firms.

The press release stated the companies are examining “potential use-cases for generative AI in news products and services.” However, they did not provide specific details.

What are its potential implications for journalism?

Photo Credit: analyticsinsight.net

Many people fear artificial intelligence could replace numerous jobs worldwide. Specifically, some say it threatens journalism because chatbots could generate articles in seconds.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shares the same sentiment. On March 19, 2023, the AI pioneer said he’s “a little bit scared of his most popular invention, ChatGPT.

“I think over a couple of generations, humanity has proven that it can adapt wonderfully to major technological shifts.” Yet, he fears humans may not be able to adapt quickly enough.

“But if this happens in a single-digit number of years, some of these shifts. That is the part I worry about,” Altman said. Yet, the Media Diversity Institute says it may emphasize the importance of journalists.

Let’s say more publications post AI-generated content. Eventually, artificial intelligence would overtake the Internet. The problem is AI models would quickly run out of manmade text for references.

They would soon refer to other AI-generated articles as these machines do not distinguish between fiction and truth. Moreover, they would likely cite unreliable and malicious sources.

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As a result, people would struggle to find reliable online information. Subramaniam (Subbu) Vincent, director of the Journalism and Media Ethics program at Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, explained to MDI why journalists will become more important in the age of AI.

“[Journalism] will always have value for the public and communities if journalists stay with storytelling forms, genres, and formats that require multiple interrogations of what is happening in the present.”

“Or if stories [are used] to connect the present with the past so that history is contextualized instead of selectively shining past glories.” Moreover, journalists “actively think and decide the framing and complicated the narratives for stories away from simplistic binaries.”

Conclusion

The Associated Press recently signed a deal with OpenAI to allow the latter to train on its news articles. Still, AP does not use artificial intelligence for writing content.

Contrary to popular belief, AI tools facilitate journalism by performing repetitive tasks. Yet, writers research and write their content to provide high-quality reporting.

The Inquirer guarantees well-researched articles about the latest digital tips and trends. Also, Inquirer Tech lets you adapt and thrive with the rapidly-progressing technologies shaping the world.