The Financial Times (FT), a daily newspaper based in the United Kingdom, has announced a new “strategic partnership” with artificial intelligence (AI) research company OpenAI. The partnership aims to use AI to develop innovative products and features for FT readers. As part of the agreement, users of OpenAI’s popular ChatGPT AI chatbot will gain access to selected summaries, quotes, and links to FT articles. This integration is intended to enhance the chatbot’s access to real-time and reliable information, addressing concerns about accuracy in AI and media. OpenAI has recently faced a privacy complaint in Austria, alleging inaccurate information and potential breaches of EU data laws.
The FT had previously stated that it became a customer of ChatGPT’s enterprise version, providing access to all its employees for increased creativity and productivity. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has actively promoted the use of ChatGPT’s enterprise offerings to Fortune 500 companies. The CEO of the FT Group, John Riddin, emphasized the significance of this partnership in shaping how people access and utilize information.
OpenAI has been involved in several media-related partnerships in the past six months. In March, it partnered with French publisher Le Monde and Spanish Prisa Media to offer French and Spanish news content through ChatGPT. In December 2023, OpenAI announced a partnership with German media giant Axel Springer, and at the beginning of 2024, it revealed ongoing discussions with major media companies in the United States, such as CNN, Fox, and Time, regarding news content licensing.
While OpenAI has successfully partnered with media giants worldwide, it has also faced legal challenges from media outlets. In December 2023, The New York Times filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the company of unauthorized use of millions of NYT articles to train its chatbots. The lawsuit remains ongoing, with both parties seeking to dismiss each other’s claims.
Nevertheless, OpenAI’s recent initiatives, including partnerships with the American Journalism Project and the Associated Press, demonstrate its commitment to obtaining proper permissions within the media industry. These efforts align with the company’s goal to support local news initiatives and ensure responsible practices in the media sphere.