AI technology has made its way into the media industry, with companies like OpenAI signing content licensing deals with publishers like Vox Media and The Atlantic. While these deals have surprised many journalists, they have also raised concerns about the impact on writers and journalism as a whole.
One of the main concerns raised by journalists is the potential harm to writers and journalism. Both Vox Media and The Atlantic have previously published critical pieces about OpenAI and generative AI, expressing concerns about environmental impact and the lack of trustworthiness in the company. Journalists worry that these deals may compromise their ability to report objectively.
In response to these deals, news guilds are pushing for AI protections similar to those fought for by Hollywood writing teams. The Writers Guild and Vox Media Union believe that the implementation of AI should be a mandatory subject of bargaining. They argue that these deals fundamentally change working conditions and that publishers should be obligated to negotiate with unions.
Other unions, such as the Omaha World-Herald Guild and journalists at CNET, have already secured AI protections. These safeguards are crucial because legal protection is not guaranteed. OpenAI claims that it is not breaking copyright laws by using publicly available content, but publications like The New York Times and The Intercept have sued the company for using copyrighted works without proper credit or citation.
Richard Tofel, former president of ProPublica, believes that these lawsuits may end up in the Supreme Court. He predicts that most publishers will eventually make deals with AI companies, similar to how Google faced copyright suits before publishers became dependent on its search product.
Another concern among journalists is the use of AI by publishers to write content. Some media outlets have already experimented with AI-generated stories, which have been criticized for factual errors. However, if AI has access to high-quality journalism, these errors may decrease over time. Journalists question whether AI should be allowed to replace human writers and if safeguards need to be put in place to ensure the integrity of journalism.
The financial terms of the deals between OpenAI and publishers remain undisclosed. However, it is known that The Atlantic’s contract is for two years. OpenAI has also signed deals with other media outlets, including News Corp, The Wall Street Journal’s parent company, and Axel Springer, the parent company of Politico and Business Insider.
OpenAI claims that these agreements will drive traffic back to publishers’ articles, but the impact remains to be seen. If users can obtain news directly from AI chatbots, it could significantly disintermediate news companies and decrease ad revenue for publishers.
Despite concerns, it seems likely that more deals like these will be made in the future. Publishers may feel that if AI is going to use their work anyway, they might as well get paid for it. However, journalists are questioning whether these deals are the best way forward and comparing them to a “protection racket” where they make a deal with the entity that is taking their work.
In conclusion, the rise of AI in the media industry has raised concerns among journalists about the future of their profession. Unions are pushing for AI protections, and lawsuits against AI companies may determine the legal landscape. The impact on journalism and writers remains uncertain, but it is clear that the industry is grappling with the implications of AI technology.
