EdTech Insight – OpenAI, Microsoft sued by Center for Investigative Reporting as news industry bolsters attack on AI

by | Jun 27, 2024 | CNBC, News & Insights

Executive Summary and Main Points

Recent legal actions taken by several news organizations against OpenAI and its backer, Microsoft, are redrawing the boundaries of copyright law in relation to AI advancements. Intellectual property infringement lawsuits claim OpenAI’s ChatGPT has been using copyrighted material without authorization when training its AI. Contrary to these legal battles, some companies like Time magazine and News Corp have forged strategic content deals with OpenAI, providing access to their vast archives to improve and potentially train AI models. Amidst this dichotomy, the AI industry faces a critical point in determining how intellectual property will coexist with the evolution and training of AI technologies.

Potential Impact in the Education Sector

These developments could profoundly impact Further Education, Higher Education, and Micro-credentials by triggering a reevaluation of content-sharing policies and the propulsion of digital transformation. For Further and Higher Education institutions, there’s an urgent need to develop clear strategies regarding AI use in educational content and curriculum development. Micro-credentials could be affected as proprietary educational resources become integral to AI-powered personalized learning pathways. Moreover, strategic partnerships between educational entities and AI companies could enhance digital learning platforms and content accessibility, but will require careful navigation of copyright laws.

Potential Applicability in the Education Sector

Innovations in AI, like ChatGPT, present opportunities for creating advanced digital tools that could revolutionize global education systems. AI could be used to curate tailored educational content, contribute to adaptive learning technologies, and provide a personalized learning experience at scale. However, these applications must respect intellectual property and privacy laws while engaging with educational content creators to ensure mutual benefits and the advancement of quality education.

Criticism and Potential Shortfalls

Criticism of using proprietary content to train AI emerges from concerns over copyright infringements and ethical use of copyrighted material. Real-world examples, like the aggressive stance taken by certain news outlets, reflect a potential shortfall in AI development if legality and copyright guidelines are not respected. International case studies reveal varied approaches to AI content usage and legal frameworks from different jurisdictions, compounding the challenge of finding a universal solution. This also highlights the ethical need for AI technologies to respect the rightful ownership and economic interests of content creators and journalists.

Actionable Recommendations

International education leadership should actively participate in dialogue regarding the use of AI in educational content. Recommendations include: creating clear guidelines for AI use within the sector, negotiating licenses with AI developers for using educational content, investing in proprietary AI solutions that respect existing copyright laws, and encouraging collaborative frameworks where both AI developers and educational content creators benefit. Educational institutions should also consider investing in training programs that equip students and professionals with the necessary skills to navigate the intersecting worlds of technology, law, and ethics.

Source article: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/27/openai-microsoft-sued-by-center-for-investigative-reporting.html