OpenAI signs content deal with Murdoch’s News Corp

ChatGPT maker OpenAI has signed a multi-year agreement with News Corp to display content from Rupert Murdoch group’s publications in response to user questions and to enhance its products, the companies said. 

As part of the deal, OpenAI will have access to current and archived content from The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, MarketWatch, Investor’s Business Daily, FN, and New York Post; The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun; The Australian, news.com.au, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail, The Advertiser, and Herald Sun; and others. 

In addition to providing content, News Corp will share journalistic expertise to help ensure the highest journalism standards are present across OpenAI’s offering. 

While the companies did not disclose financial information about the deal, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people aware of the development, that it could be worth more than $250 million over five years, including compensation in the form of cash and credits for use of OpenAI technology. 

“We believe an historic agreement will set new standards for veracity, for virtue and for value in the digital age,” said Robert Thomson, chief executive of News Corp. 

“We are delighted to have found principled partners in Sam Altman and his trusty, talented team who understand the commercial and social significance of journalists and journalism. This landmark accord is not an end, but the beginning of a beautiful friendship in which we are jointly committed to creating and delivering insight and integrity instantaneously,” Thomson said. 

“Our partnership with News Corp is a proud moment for journalism and technology,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said. 

“We greatly value News Corp’s history as a leader in reporting breaking news around the world, and are excited to enhance our users’ access to its high-quality reporting. Together, we are setting the foundation for a future where AI deeply respects, enhances, and upholds the standards of world-class journalism,” Altman added. 

With products like ChatGPT and DALL·E, OpenAI is locked in intense competition with Google in the generative AI race. 

OpenAI previously signed licensing deals with several media companies including The Associated Press, German news publisher Axel Springer, Spain’s Prisa Media, France’s Le Monde, and the London-based Financial Times to use their content to train its AI models.