The Sellout: How Publishers are Unwittingly Enabling the AI Plunder of Their Own Content
In a shocking move that has left many in the journalism industry stunned, Vox Media and The Atlantic have both signed content licensing deals with OpenAI, the AI behemoth behind ChatGPT. The agreements grant OpenAI access to the publications’ current and archived content to train its AI models, sparking concerns that the companies are sacrificing their journalistic integrity for a quick buck.
What’s more, the details of these deals have been shrouded in secrecy, with neither Vox nor The Atlantic willing to disclose the terms to their own journalists. It’s a curious move, given that the publications have in the past published critical pieces about OpenAI and the potential dangers of generative AI.
The Atlantic’s deal, in particular, is worrying, as it allows OpenAI to use the publication’s content to train its AI models, potentially leading to the production of AI-generated articles that could pass off as original work. The publication’s journalists have been left in the dark about the deal’s specifics, with some expressing outrage and concern over the potential implications.
"I’m shocked that The Atlantic, a publication that has always prided itself on its commitment to quality and journalism, would make such a deal without even informing its own writers," said one journalist, who spoke to TechCrunch on condition of anonymity.
The implications of these deals are far-reaching, and the consequences could be dire for the journalism industry as a whole. As AI-powered news products become more advanced, they could potentially disintermediate traditional news organizations, leaving them struggling to attract readers and ad revenue.
"It feels like a protection racket," said Amy McCarthy, a reporter at Eater and communications chair of Vox’s union. "Like we made a deal with the guy who just robbed our house, and he’s pinky promising that he won’t rob the house."
As the industry continues to navigate the complexities of AI and content licensing, it’s clear that something needs to be done to protect the integrity of journalism and ensure that writers are fairly compensated for their work.
"The question is, what’s next?" said Richard Tofel, former president of ProPublica. "If the courts rule that these deals are copyright infringement, will companies be forced to renegotiate? It’s a Wild West out there, and it’s up to us to ride in and bring some order to the chaos."
But for now, the industry remains in a state of flux, with publishers and AI companies alike working to shape the future of journalism. One thing is clear, however: the stakes have never been higher, and the consequences of these deals could be far-reaching and potentially devastating for the very fabric of the journalism industry.
