Perplexity AI Launches Revenue-Sharing Program for Publishers Amidst Plagiarism Controversy
Perplexity AI, the artificial intelligence startup focused on AI-assisted search, has announced a new revenue-sharing program for publishers in an effort to address concerns over plagiarism and build stronger relationships with content creators. This move comes after Perplexity faced significant backlash in June for allegedly using content from media outlets like Forbes and Wired without proper attribution or permission. The "Publishers Program" aims to incentivize publishers to provide their content to Perplexity while ensuring they receive a fair share of any revenue generated from its use.
Key Takeaways:
- Perplexity’s "Publishers Program" offers a platform for revenue-sharing between the AI startup and participating publishers. This program aims to address concerns regarding content utilization by Perplexity while incentivizing publishers to contribute their content to its platform.
- The program is intended to be a win-win situation for both Perplexity and publishers. Perplexity gains access to high-quality content, while publishers receive a percentage of advertising revenue generated when their articles are used in Perplexity’s search results.
- The announcement follows a period of intense scrutiny and controversy for Perplexity, which faced allegations of plagiarism from several media outlets. The revenue-sharing program is seen as a step towards transparency and building trust with publishers.
- The program has already attracted interest from several major publishers, including "major newspaper dailies and companies that own them." Perplexity aims to have 30 publishers enrolled in the program by the end of the year.
Perplexity’s Response to Criticism
The "Publishers Program" is a direct response to the numerous accusations of plagiarism that Perplexity faced in June. Forbes, for example, publicly accused Perplexity of using its paywalled articles in its "Pages" tool without attribution, appearing as a direct competitor to its own platform. Wired also shared similar findings and provided evidence suggesting that Perplexity had accessed its content without authorization.
Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, admitted that the company engaged with publishers in January to discuss integrating its APIs and technology into publisher products. The current program evolved from these initial conversations, aiming to address the concerns that arose during the controversy.
A Shift in Landscape: Partnership over Litigation
While Perplexity’s new program aims to build trust with publishers, the larger picture highlights a growing tension between AI startups and established media. The recent legal battle between OpenAI and numerous publications, including The New York Times and the Center for Investigative Reporting, underscores the challenges of navigating content copyright in the age of AI.
Several authors, including Jonathan Franzen, John Grisham, George R.R. Martin, and Jodi Picoult, also sued OpenAI last year for using their work to train ChatGPT without permission. These lawsuits challenge the ethical and legal implications of relying on existing content to train AI models.
However, the landscape is not entirely bleak. Some media outlets are embracing partnerships with AI startups in the interest of innovation and finding new ways to reach audiences. Time magazine, for example, entered a multi-year content deal with OpenAI in June, granting the company access to the publication’s archives to enhance ChatGPT’s capabilities. Similarly, News Corp partnered with OpenAI, providing it with access to content from The Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, Barron’s, and other publications.
The Future of Collaboration: A Balancing Act
Perplexity’s "Publishers Program" represents the potential for a collaborative future between AI startups and publishers. By offering a revenue-sharing model and promoting transparency, Perplexity aims to shift the narrative from conflict to partnership. However, the success of the program ultimately hinges on establishing a fair and equitable system that respects the rights of content creators and allows publishers to benefit from the increasing influence of AI technology.
The program also raises crucial questions about the future of journalism and content creation in the age of AI. Will AI-powered search services further marginalize traditional media outlets or become valuable tools for disseminating information and promoting content? As AI technology continues to evolve, the relationship between AI startups and publishers will undoubtedly remain a critical topic of discussion. Only time will tell how these collaborations will shape the future of media and the role of AI in the information landscape.
