Microsoft and OpenAI announced that they are offering select media outlets up to $10 million ($2.5 million in cash plus $2.5 million in “software and enterprise credits” from each) to experiment with AI tools in the newsroom.
The news comes as the two companies continue to face a series of copyright lawsuits, including from The New York Times, The Intercept, Raw Story, Alternet, the Center for Investigative Reporting, and Alden Global Capital, the hedge fund behind the New York Daily News and Chicago Tribune.
These lawsuits have persisted despite licensing deals reached with several media outlets, including The Verge's parent company, Vox Media.
The first round of funding will go to Newsday, The Minnesota Star Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Public Media, and The Seattle Times.
These outlets will receive a grant to hire a two-year fellow who will develop and implement AI tools using Microsoft Azure and OpenAI credits . The program is part of a collaboration between Microsoft, OpenAI, and the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, which aims to promote local media.