ChatGPT firm OpenAI strikes deal with Vogue owner

OpenAI and global magazine giant Condé Nast have announced a partnership that will enable ChatGPT and its search engine, SearchGPT, to feature content from well-known publications such as Vogue, The New Yorker, and GQ.

This multi-year agreement is the latest in a series of similar deals OpenAI has made with major media organizations. Content from these media outlets is valuable for technology companies as it helps in training AI models.

However, some media companies, including The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune, have resisted such arrangements and taken legal action to safeguard their content.

The financial details of the agreement between OpenAI and Condé Nast have not been disclosed.

“We’re committed to working with Condé Nast and other news publishers to ensure that as AI plays a larger role in news discovery and delivery, it maintains accuracy, integrity, and respect for quality reporting,” said Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s chief operating officer.

News media organisations have seen their business models challenged by the rise of social media and other digital platforms.

“Our partnership with OpenAI begins to make up for some of that revenue, allowing us to continue to protect and invest in our journalism and creative endeavours,” said Condé Nast’s chief executive officer Roger Lynch.

Last month, OpenAI introduced its prototype AI-powered search engine, SearchGPT.

In a statement at the time, the company indicated that it was collecting feedback and insights from its news industry partners to refine the new platform.

Other partners of OpenAI include Time Magazine, the Financial Times, and the Associated Press.

Analysts view AI chatbot technology as a crucial component of future internet search engines.

Google, the leading search engine giant, is also rapidly incorporating AI-powered tools into its products.

While other AI companies are developing search products, Google remains the dominant player, holding over 90% of the global market.

The shift towards conversational responses from search engines, rather than simply directing users to links, has raised concerns among news media organizations, many of which depend on search traffic for their audience and revenue.

Last year, the BBC announced that it was taking measures to prevent its content from being used by OpenAI and other companies without authorization.

The blog post also said the BBC would explore opportunities offered by generative AI “to deliver more value to our audiences and to society.”