Even the Associated Press has joined forces with OpenAI, the creator of the generative AI platform ChatGPT, despite the ongoing federal investigation into the company. The esteemed wire service announced its partnership on Thursday, revealing that it would license its text archive from 1985 onwards to help develop the knowledge base of OpenAI’s product. In return, OpenAI will share its technology with the AP to explore its potential applications in the news industry, where generative AI is not currently being utilized.
This partnership marks a significant step for the AP, as it embraces a generative AI platform for the first time. While the news organization has previously ventured into the field of artificial intelligence by partnering with various AI startups, this collaboration with OpenAI represents a new endeavor. In the past, the AP has worked with AI bots to report on company business earnings and local sports games. Additionally, it has employed AI software to aid in audio and video transcription from news events.
It remains unclear how this new deal will impact the AP’s previous AI partnerships or which editorial staff or departments will be involved in the OpenAI collaboration. When questioned about the matter, an AP spokesperson directed attention to a news story with an Associated Press byline discussing the partnership, without providing any additional details.
The AP’s decision to team up with OpenAI comes as newsrooms across the industry are grappling with the integration of generative AI into their products, following ChatGPT’s impressive debut last year. Finding a balance between leveraging AI technology and preserving the crucial role of human journalists in delivering the news has become a priority for outlets like The New York Times, Insider, and G/O Media-owned publications. While some organizations, such as the Times, are cautiously researching AI’s capabilities, others, like G/O Media, have faced internal backlash for test-publishing stories written by AI.
Coincidentally, OpenAI is currently under intense scrutiny from legislators and government regulators who remain wary of the potential impact of its technology. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly investigating the company to assess whether it has engaged in unfair or deceptive privacy or data security practices that could harm its users or cause reputational damage.
When questioned about the investigation or any concerns regarding data security, privacy, or consumer risks associated with partnering with OpenAI, an AP spokesperson declined to comment. Similarly, OpenAI did not respond to immediate requests for comment from the press.
Despite the ongoing investigation and regulatory scrutiny, the AP’s decision to collaborate with OpenAI demonstrates a recognition of the significant implications of generative AI for the news industry. By combining the AP’s fact-based and nonpartisan news content with OpenAI’s evolving technology, both entities aim to explore new avenues for delivering accurate and valuable information to readers.
In conclusion, while the AP’s partnership with OpenAI may present some challenges and uncertainties, it underscores the growing importance of generative AI in shaping the future of journalism. As the investigation into OpenAI continues, the industry will be watching closely to see how this collaboration unfolds and how it may impact the news landscape moving forward.
