MUMBAI: The battle for the future of information is no longer being fought only in newsrooms, it is increasingly being waged in algorithms. A.G. Sulzberger, publisher of The New York Times, has launched a sharp attack on artificial intelligence companies, accusing them of building powerful AI products on the back of journalistic content without permission or compensation. Speaking at the 77th World News Media Congress in Marseille, France, Sulzberger argued that many AI developers have relied heavily on copyrighted reporting produced by news organisations, creating value for technology platforms while leaving publishers to shoulder the cost of original journalism.
His remarks arrive at a time of growing friction between media companies and AI firms over the use of copyrighted content to train large language models. Publishers have increasingly questioned whether AI-generated summaries and responses could divert readers away from news websites, further straining an industry already grappling with shifting consumer habits and digital disruption.
Sulzberger warned that the imbalance risks creating a system where technology companies benefit from journalism without contributing to the ecosystem that produces it. He also criticised the growing concentration of power among major technology firms, arguing that companies shaping the next generation of AI tools are gaining unprecedented influence over how information is discovered, distributed and consumed.
The concerns are not merely theoretical for The New York Times. The publisher is currently pursuing legal action against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging the unauthorised use of copyrighted content in the development of AI systems. Both companies have previously defended the use of publicly available information for training purposes and maintain that AI can expand access to knowledge and information.
Beyond copyright disputes, Sulzberger’s warning touched on a broader economic concern. If publishers struggle to protect and monetise their work, the financial foundations supporting original reporting could weaken further. That, he argued, could ultimately mean fewer journalists, fewer investigations and less on-the-ground reporting at a time when reliable information is increasingly critical.
His comments struck a chord among publishers and media executives gathered at the congress, where discussions around artificial intelligence have rapidly moved from curiosity to concern.
As AI reshapes the information economy, the central question facing the news industry is becoming harder to ignore, if machines increasingly profit from journalism, who will pay to produce the next headline?
