Authors Guild Sues OpenAI Over Alleged Copyright Theft by Chatbot, Setting Precedent for AI Artistic Rights, US

A federal judge in New York will preside over the initial hearing in a high-profile case involving allegations of copyright infringement by artificial intelligence (AI) developer OpenAI. Famous authors, including David Baldacci, Jonathan Franzen, John Grisham, George R.R. Martin, and Jodi Picoult, have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming that the company unlawfully used their works to train its popular chatbot ChatGPT. The authors argue that OpenAI’s actions amount to systematic theft on a mass scale and have demanded fair compensation. OpenAI contends that its use of publicly available online material falls within the bounds of fair use. The lawsuit aims to establish legal precedent in the face of increasing concerns about AI’s impact on the creative landscape. The Authors Guild, representing the plaintiffs, has vowed to protect authors from theft by OpenAI and similar entities. The plaintiffs have requested a jury trial and seek statutory damages of up to $150,000 for each infringed work. OpenAI has expressed confidence that its technology will ultimately benefit creators and is engaging in constructive discussions to address concerns raised by the Authors Guild and others. The outcome of this case has the potential to shape the future of AI and its relationship with copyrighted content.