The deal is part of Amazon's broader strategy to advance in the AI sector, particularly with the rollout of Alexa+, a generative AI-powered assistant. This new version of Alexa, which incorporates Anthropic’s Claude AI, will feature curated journalism from the Times, enhancing its conversational and contextual abilities. The agreement highlights the evolving relationship between media companies and tech firms in the era of generative AI, as publishers like the Times navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by these technologies.
Key takeaways:
- The New York Times has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Amazon for its news, cooking, and sports content to be used in Alexa and Amazon's AI training models.
- This is the newspaper's first AI-focused licensing deal, despite ongoing lawsuits against OpenAI and Microsoft for alleged unauthorized use of its content.
- The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but it marks a significant moment for the media industry in response to the rise of generative AI.
- Amazon's agreement with The New York Times supports its efforts to advance in the AI race, including the rollout of Alexa+, a generative AI-powered assistant.