Time has entered into a content licensing deal and strategic partnership with OpenAI. This partnership aims to broaden Time’s reach to younger and more diverse global audiences, aligning with Time’s mission to expand access to trusted information.
Under the agreement, OpenAI gains access to Time’s extensive archives spanning the past 101 years. As reported by Axios, this access will be used to train OpenAI’s large language models and enhance its consumer-facing products, including ChatGPT.
Additionally, OpenAI will have real-time access to Time’s current content, enabling it to provide timely and accurate responses to user queries as news events unfold.
In return, OpenAI will cite Time as a source in its responses and link back to the original content on Time.com, ensuring proper attribution and directing traffic to Time’s website.
The partnership also includes a technological collaboration where Time will gain access to OpenAI’s technology and tools to develop new products for its audience. Time will share feedback and practical applications to improve the use and delivery of journalism within OpenAI’s products and future AI-driven news experiences.
Mark Howard, Time’s Chief Operating Officer, stated that this partnership advances their mission to expand access to trusted information globally. OpenAI’s Chief Operating Officer, Brad Lightcap, also highlighted that the partnership supports reputable journalism by providing proper attribution to sources.
This deal is part of OpenAI’s broader effort to form strategic partnerships with publishers. Recent partners include The Atlantic, Vox Media, and News Corp., the parent company of the Wall Street Journal. Many established news companies with extensive archives opt for partnerships with OpenAI instead of pursuing legal action.
However, some, like the New York Times and several regional newspapers owned by Alden Global Capital, have chosen to sue OpenAI for copyright infringement. OpenAI is disputing the allegations in the New York Times lawsuit, which is currently pending.
The financial specifics of the deal between Time and OpenAI were not disclosed, but similar deals typically include compensation for publishers, reflecting the value of the content provided. For Time, this partnership is a strategic move to leverage advanced AI tools to expand their audience and enhance content delivery, maintaining their relevance in the digital age.
For OpenAI, access to Time’s extensive archives and real-time news content will likely enhance the accuracy and richness of information provided by OpenAI’s models, benefiting users who rely on its services for up-to-date and historical information.
