Generative AI: An Enemy of Traditional Journalism?

The growing divide between technology companies and news publishers is increasing as generative AI revolutionizes the media and marketing industries.

Publishers are concerned

 Editors are concerned about how AI tools, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, will alter search and are preparing for the possibility of losing traffic and revenue. Editorial executives are worried about how their content has been used to train AI tools and are exploring revenue options and legal and technological measures to protect themselves from AI tools that use their content without citing or attributing them correctly.

Editors are particularly confused by the legal doctrine known as «fair use,» which allows for the use of copyrighted material without permission or attribution. The lack of attribution and links back to the original content makes it difficult for editors to monetize their content. As a result, editors are actively seeking revenue options to recoup their investment, as well as finding technological and legal measures to protect themselves from the impacts caused by AI tools.

AI tools can affect the ability to generate revenue

Technology platforms such as Microsoft and Google have recently introduced their versions of AI tools, in some cases incorporating them into search. However, editors are concerned that generative AI tools in search will affect their ability to generate intent-based revenue.

Generative AI threatens news publishers’ ability to generate revenue through copyrighted content. Publishers are struggling to find ways to protect their interests and monetize content fairly.

In any case, the compensation sought by publishers will be difficult to obtain. Legislation that allows US publishers to negotiate compensation is being reintroduced after being shelved in 2020, but it is unlikely to succeed without significant changes to how AI technology is governed.

Generative AI is on the rise

The rise of generative artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how information is produced and distributed. While AI tools can be extremely useful, their use can raise serious concerns for publishers and their revenue. The lack of attribution and links to original sources, combined with the legal doctrine of «fair use,» can leave publishers without income for their work.

The relationship between AI technology and news publishers is definitely tense and complex. As AI technology continues to advance, publishers will have to work to find ways to protect themselves and generate revenue. With the threat of losing traffic and a confusing legal doctrine, publishers are on uncertain ground and face significant challenges. The question remains whether fair solutions will be found for all parties involved in this new AI-driven world.