John Carreyrou Files Lawsuit against xAI, Google, Meta Over AI Copyright Infringement, New York Times Reporter Alleges Unauthorised Use of Books

New York, December 23: New York Times reporter John Carreyrou has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence giants xAI, Meta Platforms, and Google, alleging that their advanced AI models were unlawfully trained using copyrighted books. The complaint adds to a growing wave of legal challenges confronting AI developers over the sourcing and licensing of training data, particularly concerning intellectual property rights.

New York Times Reporter John Carreyrou Allegations

NY Times journalist John Carreyrou's lawsuit contends that xAI's Grok, Meta's Llama, and Google's various large language models (LLMs) were developed without permission or compensation to creators. The complaint specifically alleges that these companies trained models without seeking consent and built LLMs and generative AI systems on a foundation of intellectual property theft. The reporter is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction against further infringement. Elon Musk in Dubai: Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Takes Tesla CEO on City Tour, Discusses AI, Space Technology and Urban Mobility.

John Carreyrou's Work and Recognition

John Carreyrou is an investigative reporter who has won multiple awards for his work. He is best known for authoring the book "Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup," which is widely recognised. His experience as an author and journalist underscores the basis of his claim regarding the protection of creative works and the economic rights of creators.

AI Copyright Against xAI, Meta Platforms, and Google

This lawsuit marks another significant legal hurdle for the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence industry. It highlights the contentious debate surrounding fair use doctrines in the context of AI training and the ethical implications of using vast datasets without explicit creator consent or compensation. The outcome could set precedents for how AI companies acquire and license data, potentially reshaping development practices and business models across the sector.

AI Companies Facing Lawsuits Over Using Copyrighted Materials

Carreyrou's action comes amid a wave of high-profile copyright infringement lawsuits targeting major AI developers. In December 2023, The New York Times filed a landmark lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging the unauthorized use of its journalistic content to train AI models. Similarly, authors like Sarah Silverman and other creators have pursued legal action, claiming their works were used without permission. Getty Images sued Stability AI over the use of its copyrighted images. Other notable firms and organisations, including Elsevier and the Associated Press, have also filed lawsuits against AI companies, highlighting the widespread and growing nature of these legal disputes. Even Hollywood stars like Scarlett Johansson also had legal fight with OpenAI over the company using her voice. Vince Zampella Crash Video: Shocking Clip Shows Call of Duty Co-Creator’s Speeding Ferrari Ramming Into Barrier in Los Angeles.

xAI, Meta Platforms, and Google Company Responses

As of reporting, representatives for xAI, Meta Platforms, and Google have not publicly commented on the specifics of John Carreyrou's lawsuit. These companies have previously defended their data acquisition practices, often citing fair use principles for training AI models on publicly available information. However, the specific allegation of using pirated material could introduce new complexities to their defence strategies.