A Microsoft and OpenAI announced that are offering a select group of media outlets up to $10 million ($2,5 million in cash and $2,5 million in âsoftware and corporate creditsâ from each) to experiment with tools artificial intelligence (IA) in the newsroom.
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This news comes as the two companies still face a series of lawsuits over violations of copyright, including from The New York Times, The Intercept, Raw Story, AlterNet, the Center for Investigative Reporting, and Alden Global Capital, the hedge fund behind the New York Daily News and the Chicago Tribune. These lawsuits continue despite licensing agreements with many media outlets.
The first round of funding will go to Newsday, The Minnesota Star Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Public Media and The Seattle Times.
These outlets will receive a grant to hire a collaborator for two years who will work on developing and implementing AI tools using Microsoft Azure and credits OpenAI. The program is part of a collaboration between Microsoft, OpenAI and the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, which aims to promote local media.
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âWhile nothing can replace the central role of reporters, we believe AI technology can help in the research, investigation, distribution and monetization of important journalism,â said Tom Rubin, head of intellectual property and content at OpenAI, in the press release.
A Microsoft and OpenAI will provide grants to three more media organizations at a later date. Some AI applications the outlets will explore include using the technology for transcription, content summaries and creating a âconversationalâ search tool for archives.
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