Editor's note: This story was originally shared by the Financial Times and can be read here.
The Financial Times today announced a strategic partnership and licensing agreement with OpenAI, a leader in AI research and deployment, to enhance ChatGPT with attributed content, help improve the usefulness of its models by incorporating FT journalism, and collaborate on the development of new AI products and features for readers FT.
Through the partnership, ChatGPT users will be able to see selected attributed summaries, quotes and rich links to FT journalism in response to relevant queries.
Additionally, the FT became a ChatGPT Enterprise customer earlier this year, purchasing access for all FT employees to ensure its teams are tech-savvy and can benefit from the creativity and productivity boosts enabled by OpenAI's tools.
“This is an important agreement in several respects,” said FT Group CEO John Ridding. “It recognizes the value of our award-winning journalism and will give us early insights into how content emerges through artificial intelligence. We've long been leaders in media innovation, pioneers in subscription models and engagement technologies, and this partnership will help us stay at the forefront of developments in the way people access and use information.”
“The FT is committed to human journalism, the kind our unrivaled newsroom produces, and this agreement will broaden the reach of that work, while deepening our understanding of the demands and interests of our readers,” added Ridding. “In addition to the benefits for the FT, there are wider implications for the industry. It is true, of course, that AI platforms pay publishers to use their material. OpenAI understands the importance of transparency, attribution and compensation – all of which are essential to us. At the same time, it is clearly in the user's interest that these products contain reliable sources.”
Brad Lightcap, chief operating officer of OpenAI, expressed his delight at the development of the relationship with the Financial Times, saying: “Our partnership and ongoing dialogue with the FT is focused on finding creative and productive ways for AI to empower news organizations and journalists and enrich the ChatGPT experience – and with world-class journalism in real time for millions of people around the world.”
“We want to explore practical outcomes around news sources and artificial intelligence through this partnership,” Ridding said. “We appreciate the opportunity to be in the loop as people discover content in new ways. As with any transformative technology, there is potential for significant progress and major challenges, but what is never possible is turning back time. It is important to us to present quality journalism while these products take shape – with appropriate safeguards to protect the FT's content and brand.
We have always embraced new technologies and disruption, and we will continue to work with curiosity and vigilance as we navigate this next wave of change.”