Over the past year, OpenAI has been collaborating with media organizations to foster a robust news ecosystem, streamline newsroom operations, and enhance reader experiences. Through partnerships and innovation, the company aims to empower journalists, improve ChatGPT’s understanding of current news, and create new opportunities for publishers to connect with audiences.
Expanding Local News Coverage with Axios
In a major announcement, OpenAI revealed a new partnership with Axios, which includes funding to expand local newsrooms in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Kansas City, Mo.; Boulder, Colo.; and Huntsville, Ala. Axios co-founder and CEO Jim VandeHei expressed excitement about this development, emphasizing the importance of bringing essential news to underserved communities.
Collaborations with Leading Media Organizations
To date, OpenAI has partnered with nearly 20 media organizations, extending its technology to over 160 news outlets in more than 20 languages worldwide. Notable collaborators include News Corp, The Atlantic, Vox Media, Condé Nast, and Dotdash Meredith.
These partnerships enable ChatGPT’s search function to feature summaries and excerpts from trusted media outlets, complete with clear citations and direct links. This feature allows ChatGPT’s 300 million weekly active users to engage with original journalism more easily.
Innovative Applications of AI in Newsrooms
Media organizations have been leveraging OpenAI’s technology to enhance their operations:
- The Associated Press: Increased Spanish translations by 40% and doubled Portuguese translations. AI tools also save journalists hundreds of hours by automating data mining and optimizing headlines.
- The Atlantic: Experimenting with AI-driven tools like Atlantic Companion and Atlantic Explorer, offering users an interactive way to explore 167 years of archived content.
- Axel Springer: Developed ‘Hey_,’ a conversational AI assistant integrated with Europe’s largest news brands like BILD and WELT.
- Dotdash Meredith: Introduced D/Cipher, a tool for ad targeting based on user interests without relying on cookies.
- Financial Times: Employing custom GPT models to flag advertisements potentially violating UK standards, streamlining compliance efforts.
Supporting Local Journalism and Global Innovation
OpenAI has been instrumental in supporting local and global journalism through grants and educational initiatives:
- American Journalism Project: Launched a Product & AI Studio to help local outlets streamline workflows, transcribe civic meetings, and translate articles.
- Lenfest Institute Fellowships: Provided API credits and expertise to metropolitan newsrooms, enabling AI-driven experiments to boost revenue and audience engagement.
- WAN-IFRA’s Newsroom AI Catalyst Program: Supported 128 newsrooms across Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America in implementing AI tools to enhance productivity and storytelling.
A Commitment to the Future of Journalism
As AI continues to transform the media landscape, OpenAI is committed to fostering collaboration with journalists, publishers, and editors to explore new possibilities. By integrating AI into newsrooms, OpenAI aims to strengthen the news ecosystem and ensure trusted journalism thrives in the digital age.
