OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has announced a partnership with the American Journalism Project (AJP), a venture philanthropy organization that supports US publications. As part of this collaboration, OpenAI has donated $5 million to encourage news outlets to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in their reporting. The funding aims to enhance the implementation and regulation of AI in the journalism field.
Contrary to popular belief that AI may render many jobs obsolete, OpenAI’s support for AI adoption in news organizations actually aims to increase productivity among writers and combat the spread of online misinformation. By promoting the responsible and widespread use of AI, this partnership seeks to ensure that journalists are equipped to deliver factual reporting in the digital age.
The CEO of the American Journalism Project, Sarabeth Berman, expressed the importance of incorporating AI into journalism: We need to be smart about the potential powers and pitfalls of new technology to ensure local journalism remains an essential pillar of our democracy. She further emphasized the need for local news organizations to actively participate in shaping the implications of AI technologies.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman echoed this sentiment, asserting their commitment to supporting the revitalization of local news. Altman emphasized that AI should be a tool that benefits everyone and enhances work, rather than replacing human involvement. The collaboration between OpenAI and the AJP aims to explore how AI technology can fortify the work of local journalism and facilitate a valuable feedback loop.
As part of their partnership, the AJP will establish an AI studio to assess the potential use cases of AI within the local news sector. This studio will directly benefit portfolio organizations associated with the AJP. Additionally, OpenAI will provide up to $5 million in API credits to the AJP and its portfolio organizations.
In addition to their collaboration with the AJP, OpenAI has partnered with other organizations to advance AI adoption. For instance, they have collaborated with Shutterstock to enable the generation of AI-powered images. This feature, available to paying subscribers, allows users to receive AI-generated image recommendations based on their descriptions.
OpenAI has also partnered with the Associated Press (AP), granting the AP permission to train its AI model on news articles. In a joint statement, the AP acknowledged OpenAI’s recognition of the necessity for fact-based and nonpartisan news content. While the partnership ensures the protection of intellectual property, the AP also advocates for fair compensation for content creators.
The collaboration between OpenAI and the American Journalism Project marks an important step in leveraging AI to support the thriving local news field. By embracing AI technology, journalism can adapt to the digital landscape and continue to provide valuable reporting. In an era where AI is becoming increasingly ubiquitous, it is crucial for journalists and news outlets to embrace this tool and prepare for the inevitable changes it brings. Overall, this partnership aims to maximize the potential of AI while preserving the integrity of journalism.
