AI Chief's Controversial Take on Internet Content Sparks Debate

As for content that is already available on the open web, since the 1990s, fair use has been the accepted social contract for that content

Since its launch in 2022, OpenAI's ChatGPT has ignited debates on AI's use of existing content for training, with many writers and artists taking legal action against AI companies for utilizing their work without permission. However, Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's new AI chief, has a different perspective. In a recent CNBC interview with Andrew Ross, Suleyman, who co-founded Google DeepMind, asserted that all content available on the internet is essentially "freeware."

As for content that is already available on the open web, since the 1990s, fair use has been the accepted social contract for that content. It can be replicated, recreated, and reproduced by anyone he said. He emphasized that unless publishers or news organizations explicitly prohibit their content from being scraped or crawled, AI companies are within their rights to use it for training AI models. This stance has sparked further controversy in an already heated debate about intellectual property and AI.

Suleyman, who assumed his role at Microsoft in April, described his initial months at the company as "exhilarating" and "fulfilling" in a LinkedIn post. He highlighted the extensive opportunities to engage with various people, organizations, and projects, underscoring the dynamic environment at Microsoft's AI division.