OpenAI inks deal with Axel Springer on licensing news for model training

OpenAI has announced a partnership with Axel Springer, a Berlin-based media owner, to train its generative AI models on the publisher’s content and use articles from Axel Springer’s publications in its ChatGPT chatbot. In return, Axel Springer will receive payments from OpenAI.

This partnership aims to provide ChatGPT users with summaries of “selected” articles from Axel Springer’s publications, including stories normally gated behind a paywall, with proper attribution and links to the full articles. Although the deal does not commit to exclusivity, Axel Springer plans to support its AI-driven initiatives that leverage OpenAI’s technology, thereby shaping a unique global partnership.

The relationship between publishers and generative AI vendors is complex, with publishers expressing concerns about copyright infringement, traffic cannibalization, and the impact on their business models. Several media organizations have called for regulations to ensure transparency and copyright protection in AI practices.