ChatGPT Is Turning the Internet Into Plumbing
A partnership between OpenAI's ChatGPT and media conglomerate Axel Springer is changing the way we interact with online content.
The Partnership
OpenAI has announced a partnership with Axel Springer that will allow ChatGPT to provide users with summaries of news content from Axel Springer's portfolio, including publishers like Politico and Business Insider. Users will be able to query the bot and receive responses based on Axel Springer stories, with accompanying links to the original articles.
Axel Springer will receive compensation for lending their work, providing an additional distribution channel and revenue stream. The partnership aims to enrich the user experience on ChatGPT while maintaining the quality of journalism from Politico and Business Insider.
Implications for the Future of the Internet
The deal between OpenAI and Axel Springer raises questions about the future of the internet and the role of generative AI. As generative AI cannot distinguish between original journalism and other forms of writing, it treats all content equally. This raises concerns about whether users will engage with original publications when ChatGPT reproduces news updates.
While the partnership provides instant access to current and accurate information tailored to user queries, it also diminishes the incentive to click on original articles. The prevalence of generative AI content may crowd out legitimate sources and limit the diversity of perspectives and styles available online.
The Transformation of Human Potential
Despite its current flaws, the transformation brought about by generative AI may ultimately be seen as an expansion of human potential. Generative AI has the potential to inspire creativity and facilitate good work, providing a more comprehensive representation of human knowledge.
However, this transformation marks the end of one era and the beginning of another. The internet will no longer be defined by the multitude of websites and digital creations, but rather by the text box and cursor of a chatbot like ChatGPT, awaiting user commands and offering a glimpse into the vast realm of information.
