The Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR), known for producing Mother Jones and Reveal, has sued OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing them of using its content without permission and compensation. The lawsuit, filed in New York federal court, claims that OpenAI's business model is based on exploiting copyrighted works and argues that AI-generated summaries threaten the financial stability of news organisations by reducing direct engagement with their content.

CIR's CEO, Monika Bauerlein, emphasised the danger of AI tools replacing direct relationships between readers and news organisations, potentially undermining the foundations of independent journalism. The lawsuit is part of a broader legal challenge faced by OpenAI and Microsoft, with similar suits filed by other media outlets and authors.

Why does it matter?

Some news organisations have opted to collaborate with OpenAI, signing deals to allow the use of their content for AI training in exchange for compensation. Despite OpenAI's argument that its use of publicly accessible content falls under 'fair use,' CIR's lawsuit highlights the financial and ethical implications of using copyrighted material without proper attribution or payment, warning of significant impacts on investigative journalism and democracy.