The New York Times Updates Terms To Block AI Use Of Its Content

Photo 19063479 © Victor Torres | Dreamstime.com

Just because something is out there in the open web for all to read doesn’t make it kosher for feeding the bots.

The astronomical rise of machine-learning and language models like ChatGPT has left online publishers leery, especially since these tools have been heavily trained on their intellectual property. Now, it seems The New York Times is taking the first steps in preventing artificial intelligence from scraping any more of its content.

The news outlet has updated its terms of service to include its stance against AI training. The new policy, which came into effect on August 3, states that the company prohibits the use of its content—“including, but not limited to text, photographs, images, illustrations, designs, audio clips, video clips, ‘look and feel,’ metadata, data, or compilations”—for “training a machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) system” without prior written consent.

“Without NYT’s prior written consent, you shall not… use the Content for the development of any software program, including, but not limited to, training a machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) system,” the publication reiterates. The Times also stresses that its material is meant for “personal, non-commercial use.”

The revised guidelines arrived just as news organizations, including the Associated Press, banded together to call for the governing of the rapidly evolving AI world earlier this month.

In an open letter crafted with writers and photographers, the group wrote: “We… support the responsible advancement and deployment of generative AI technology, while believing that a legal framework must be developed to protect the content that powers AI applications as well as maintain public trust in the media.”

Per the Times, failure to comply with its terms of service “may result in civil, criminal, and/or administrative penalties, fines, or sanctions against the user and those assisting the user.”

[via Ars Technica and Search Engine Land, cover photo 19063479 © Victor Torres | Dreamstime.com]