BBC blocks ChatGPT creator from using his content over AI copyright issues

Rhodri Talfan Davies, BBC country director, said managing AI risks would require «vision and vigilance». Photo: BBC

This follows similar actions by The Guardian, New York Times and CNN, which blocked ChatGPT from accessing their websites.

BBC Good Food, which is operated under license by the publisher of Immediate magazine Media, has also imposed a ban.

News publishers are increasingly concerned that tech giants are collecting data from their websites without permission to help train artificial intelligence software.

The Daily Mail is currently preparing for a legal battle with Google over claims the company used hundreds of thousands of its online news stories to train chatbot Bard.

Meanwhile, the News Media Association (NMA), which represents The Times, The Guardian and The Telegraph have warned that a flood of fake news generated by artificial intelligence risks «contaminating human knowledge».

Despite the concerns, some in the news industry are hoping to reach landmark agreements that would see tech giants pay for the use of content.

The BBC said it wanted to agree on a «more structured and sustainable approach». with artificial intelligence firms, although it is understood that licensing agreements are not yet being discussed.

The broadcaster will also begin implementing a number of small projects to experiment with artificial intelligence. They can be used in areas such as news headlines, as well as in archival material and to aid production processes.

The threat from AI poses a unique challenge for the BBC given its license fee funding model.< /p >

Leo Kelion, a former technical editor at the BBC, questioned whether there was a conflict between the decision to block ChatGPT and the broadcaster's powers.

He said: “I understand there is a desire to control who uses it and perhaps get a new source of income. But it seems a shame to deprive AI models of a source of reliable results that strive to be unbiased. Its inclusion represents soft power for the BBC and the UK.»

The BBC insisted that AI could provide the organization with a significant opportunity to «deepen and broaden our mission», provided it is used responsibly.< /p>

Leaders said the organization will always act in the best interests of society, will prioritize talent and creativity over technology, and will use artificial intelligence transparently.

Mr Talfan Davis said : “We believe that responsible use of this technology can help mitigate some of these risks and enable experimentation.”