January 10, 2024
OpenAI Responds to The New York Times Lawsuit
OpenAI has provided additional details about its intention to collaborate with news organizations in the wake of The New York Times’ lawsuit on copyright infringement. The company says it had been in negotiations with The Times to feature and cite content—a partnership similar to its recent agreement with Axel Springer—before talks broke down.
More details are emerging about OpenAI’s attempts to court publishers. OpenAI reportedly offers between $1 million and $5 million a year to news publishers for access to content. The AI company has argued that publicly available materials its products train on fall under fair use, but that publishers can opt-out regardless.
New Data on AI Use Among PR Pros and Big Changes to Online Advertising
A new survey is shedding light on AI’s impact on PR consultants and agencies across the country. Muck Rack released the State of AI in PR 2024 report to track how generative AI is evolving. Top findings show the use of AI among PR pros surged from 28% to 64% in 2023. Findings also show the vast majority of respondents feel AI has improved and expedited their work. Fewer than one-fifth of agency staff, and just over one-third of brand communicators, always disclose the use of AI to clients.
The world of advertising is entering a new era. Google is moving forward with significant changes to online user tracking by phasing out cookies, a move that the advertising industry is not fully prepared for, despite the forthcoming elimination of cookies for all Chrome users by the end of the year.
Tech and Media Layoffs Continue Into 2024
A turbulent time for tech and media appears to be continuing into the New Year. Cheddar, a financial news network targeting younger viewers, placed some employees on unpaid leave, citing “unforeseen internal and external factors.” The news follows its sale from Altice USA to private-equity-controlled Archetype last month. Digital news start-up The Messenger is laying off approximately two dozen employees as it seeks additional funding in a tough digital ad market.
The tech industry continues transforming into 2024. More economic evidence of automation’s impact on tech surfaced with news that language-learning software company Duolingo is cutting 10% of its staff, as it leans further into AI. The digital printing company Xerox is laying off 15% of its workforce in a larger “reinvention” of its services.
Sequence Summaries: OpenAI Answers, AI & Ads, and Continued Cuts
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