In a recent development, HarperCollins, one of the world’s largest publishing companies, has entered into a three-year AI training agreement with an undisclosed company. Bloomberg reports that the unnamed company is none other than Microsoft. This news comes just a day after 404 Media announced HarperCollins’ AI training deal.
HarperCollins plans to use select nonfiction backlist titles for this AI training program. This move, as stated by the publishing company to 404 Media, will only proceed with the authors’ consent.
AI Licensing Contract Details
Author Daniel Kibblesmith revealed the financial aspect of this AI licensing contract. Sharing screenshots on social media, Kibblesmith showed that he was offered $2,500 per book for a three-year AI licensing contract.
When asked about an offer he’d consider taking, Kibblesmith said, “I’d probably do it for a billion dollars. I’d do it for an amount of money that wouldn’t require me to work anymore, since that’s the end goal of this technology.”
The Purpose of The AI Training
The specifics of the AI model that HarperCollins’ content will train remain undisclosed. A source informed Bloomberg that Microsoft does not aim to produce AI-written books using the training material. However, Microsoft has refrained from commenting on this matter.
HarperCollins’ Previous AI Endeavors
This is not the first time HarperCollins has ventured into AI training. Earlier this year, News Corp, HarperCollins’ parent company, signed a deal with OpenAI. This agreement allowed the AI behemoth to train its models on News Corp’s digital outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, The Daily Telegraph, and more.
Implications of The Deal
- This arrangement between HarperCollins and Microsoft underlines the increasing penetration of AI in various sectors, including publishing.
- It also highlights the potential financial benefits for authors who agree to the AI licensing contracts.
- Further, it indicates the mounting interest of tech giants like Microsoft in AI technology and its various applications.
In conclusion, as AI continues to permeate different industries, such collaborations may become more prevalent, changing the traditional operations within these sectors.
Source: The Verge
