The merger occurs amid the rise of text-to-image AI tools from companies like OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Adobe. Getty Images has already launched an AI image generator using its licensed photos and partnered with Picsart for a safe AI image tool. Shutterstock has made AI training deals with OpenAI and agreements with Meta, Google, and Amazon. The merger could attract antitrust scrutiny, but the response from the Trump administration remains uncertain.
Key takeaways:
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- Getty Images and Shutterstock are merging in a $3.7 billion deal to expand their stock photo libraries.
- Getty Images CEO Craig Peters will lead the combined companies, with a reworked board including Shutterstock CEO Paul Hennessy.
- The merger aims to enhance content offerings and introduce new technologies amid competition from AI-powered image tools.
- Shutterstock will remain a separate website post-merger, and the deal may face antitrust scrutiny.