OpenAI Collaborates with News Corp, Publisher of the Wall Street Journal

In a pivotal development for both AI and mainstream media, OpenAI has announced a new partnership with News Corp, the media conglomerate founded by billionaire Rupert Murdoch, which encompasses prominent outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and major book publisher HarperCollins. Notably, HarperCollins will not be part of this agreement.

OpenAI's official blog states that the partnership involves "current and archived content from News Corp’s major news and information publications," excluding any assets from News Corp’s other businesses.

Though the specific financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, it's believed that OpenAI is compensating News Corp significantly, akin to its previous agreements with other publishers. The Wall Street Journal estimates the valuation could reach approximately $250 million over five years, or $50 million annually.

This partnership grants OpenAI access to a wealth of news content from News Corp's extensive portfolio, including years of archived articles and video footage. This material will enhance the training of OpenAI’s AI models, such as GPT-4o and Sora, and improve the accuracy of responses in ChatGPT, integrating outputs from sources like The Wall Street Journal.

Additional News Corp assets involved in the agreement include Barron’s, MarketWatch, Investor’s Business Daily, FN, and the New York Post. Internationally, it encompasses content from UK and Australian publications, including The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Australian, and others. However, it explicitly excludes assets from HarperCollins, Realtor.com, and Fox News.

The collaboration aims to enrich OpenAI's generative AI products, allowing ChatGPT to provide users with authoritative information, complete with citations to the originating news articles and video content. Furthermore, News Corp will contribute its journalistic expertise to uphold high standards in the content provided by OpenAI.

A Trend of Media Partnerships

Despite ongoing lawsuits from various creators and publishers, including The New York Times, OpenAI has been actively securing partnerships with other major media organizations. Recent agreements include:

- Meredith Dotdash (announced May 2024)

- The Financial Times (announced April 2024)

- Axel Springer (publisher of Politico and Business Insider, announced December 2023)

- The Associated Press (July 2023)

- The American Journalism Project (July 2023)

Leadership Insights

Robert Thomson, CEO of News Corp, expressed optimism regarding the partnership, emphasizing its potential to establish new benchmarks for integrity in the digital age. “We believe this historic agreement will set new standards for veracity, virtue, and value,” he stated, highlighting the shared commitment to high journalistic standards. He referred to the partnership as the beginning of a collaborative effort to enhance insight and integrity in journalism.

Similarly, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, described the partnership as a significant moment for technology and journalism. He praised News Corp's legacy in global news reporting and expressed excitement over improving user access to quality journalism. "Together, we are laying the groundwork for a future where AI reveres and supports the standards of world-class journalism," he noted.

Future Implications

This strategic alliance signifies a mutual recognition of the transformative potential at the crossroads of journalism and AI. By merging News Corp’s trusted reporting with OpenAI’s advanced capabilities, the partnership aims to deliver a more informed and reliable digital experience. It represents a proactive approach to tackling misinformation and reinforcing journalistic integrity in the digital landscape.

While the partnership grants OpenAI expansive access to News Corp’s news content, it deliberately excludes materials from News Corp’s other business sectors, ensuring a focused effort on enhancing journalistic content dissemination through AI technologies.