News Corp Negotiations with AI Companies in Full Throttle

During the company's quarterly earnings briefing, Robert Thomson, the global chief executive of News Corporation, revealed that they are currently engaged in advanced negotiations with artificial intelligence (AI) companies regarding using News Corporation's content.

Thomson emphasized that News Corporation's strategy prioritizes negotiation over litigation to finalize agreements with these AI firms.

Challenges and Approaches in the AI Era

Thomson underscored the importance of reaching agreements through negotiation rather than legal action, stating that News Corporation prefers "courtship to courtrooms" when dealing with AI companies.

He expressed concerns about the proliferation of content counterfeiters in the AI world. He highlighted the need for meaningful negotiations to protect journalistic integrity and combat the dissemination of "digital dross" through generative AI.

The rapid growth of AI-powered technologies, exemplified by OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard chatbot, has posed challenges for media companies worldwide. Thomson specifically commended OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman, acknowledging their significant contributions to the AI landscape.

According to The Guardian, media publishers have adopted diverse approaches in response to the rise of AI-powered tech companies. While some have opted to negotiate licensing deals, others have pursued legal action to seek damages for using their content in training AI models. For instance, The New York Times has filed lawsuits against OpenAI and Microsoft, aiming to secure compensation for the unauthorized use of its content in training large-language model systems, which could potentially amount to billions of dollars.

Adapting to AI Breakthroughs

On the other hand, The Guardian has taken a proactive stance by blocking OpenAI from accessing its content. In contrast, the Associated Press has opted for collaboration, striking a licensing deal with OpenAI last year to provide access to some archival content.

According to The Australian, as News Corporation navigates the complex landscape of AI and content usage, the company remains committed to fostering meaningful partnerships that uphold journalistic standards and protect intellectual property rights in the digital age.

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