The alleged theft at the heart of ChatGPT | Planet Money

Intro

In this episode of the “Planet Money” podcast, the alleged theft at the heart of ChatGPT, a powerful AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, is explored. The episode delves into the legality and ethics of AI companies using human creativity, with a focus on the lawsuit filed against OpenAI by 17 authors. The episode also discusses past legal cases involving copyright infringement and the implications for companies like OpenAI and Spotify. Additionally, a preview of the next episode on China’s economy is provided.

Main Takeaways

OpenAI’s Use of Douglas Preston’s Books

• Douglas Preston, author of 40 books, discovered that OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, had extensive knowledge about his books and characters.
• ChatGPT had access to Preston’s full books, including details not found on Wikipedia or in reviews.
• Preston, who owned the copyright to his books, was never asked for permission by OpenAI to use them.

Legal and Ethical Questions Surrounding AI Companies

• The episode explores the legality and ethics of AI companies utilizing human creativity to build powerful computer programs.
• OpenAI faced a lawsuit from 17 authors, including George R.R. Martin and Jodi Picoult, for allegedly using copyrighted material without permission.
• The authors’ lawyers attempted to extract information from ChatGPT regarding its sources, which led to the discovery that the AI had memorized entire books and chapters.

Precedents and Fair Use in Copyright Law

• Legal cases involving Google’s scanning of copyrighted books and Spotify’s streaming of unlicensed songs are examined.
• Copyright law aims to balance the interests of authors and society’s ability to borrow and remix their work.
• Judge Pierre Leval determined that Google’s creation of a searchable database of books was legally acceptable due to its societal value.

Potential Consequences for OpenAI and Spotify

• If a judge rules against OpenAI, the company may have to retrain its AI and could face statutory damages of up to $15 billion.
• Spotify’s case involving copyright infringement led to negotiations with songwriters and the establishment of a system to pay for streaming royalties.
• Lawsuits can provide opportunities for companies to negotiate with a group of plaintiffs and potentially resolve licensing issues.

Summary

OpenAI’s Use of Douglas Preston’s Books

The episode begins by highlighting author Douglas Preston’s experience with OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT. Preston discovered that the AI had extensive knowledge about his books, including details not readily available to the public. Despite owning the copyright to his books, Preston was never approached by OpenAI for permission to use his work.

Legal and Ethical Questions Surrounding AI Companies

The episode delves into the legality and ethics of AI companies utilizing human creativity to develop powerful computer programs. OpenAI faced a lawsuit from 17 authors, including prominent names like George R.R. Martin and Jodi Picoult, for allegedly using copyrighted material without permission. The authors’ lawyers managed to extract information from ChatGPT, revealing that the AI had memorized entire books and chapters.

Precedents and Fair Use in Copyright Law

The episode explores past legal cases involving copyright infringement, such as Google’s scanning of millions of copyrighted books and Spotify’s streaming of unlicensed songs. Copyright law aims to strike a balance between authors’ financial interests and society’s ability to borrow and remix their work. Judge Pierre Leval determined that Google’s creation of a searchable database of books was legally acceptable due to its societal value.

Potential Consequences for OpenAI and Spotify

If a judge rules against OpenAI in the lawsuit, the company may need to retrain its AI and could face significant statutory damages of up to $15 billion. The episode also discusses Spotify’s case of copyright infringement, which led to negotiations with songwriters and the establishment of a system to pay for streaming royalties. Lawsuits can provide opportunities for companies to negotiate with plaintiffs and potentially resolve licensing issues.

Conclusion

The episode of “Planet Money” sheds light on the alleged theft at the heart of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and raises important questions about the legality and ethics of AI companies using human creativity. The legal cases discussed, including Google’s book scanning and Spotify’s streaming of unlicensed songs, highlight the complexities of copyright law and the need to balance the interests of creators and society. The potential consequences for OpenAI and Spotify underscore the financial risks and need for negotiation in resolving copyright infringement issues. Tune in to the next episode to learn about China’s economy and its impending real estate crisis.