OpenAI, Google Seek Approval To Train AI on Copyright Content

OpenAI and Google are among the tech companies that have asked the US government for permission to train their AI models on copyright-protected content. Their proposals are in response to President Donald Trump’s AI Action Plan.

As part of the initiative, the White House requested input from governments and private entities on how to “enhance America’s position as an AI powerhouse” while preventing “burdensome requirements” from hindering innovation.

In their filings, OpenAI and Google have asked to train AI on publicly available content. They argue that using such content falls under the principles of fair use, a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted works without permission under certain conditions.

OpenAI claims that allowing American companies to train their models on copyrighted material would help maintain the U.S.’s lead in AI. The company pointed to the rise of DeepSeek, a large language model developed in China, that caused US tech stocks to plunge.

“If the PRC’s developers have unfettered access to data and American companies are left without fair use access, the race for AI is effectively over,” the startup says in its proposal. The company also recommends tight export controls on AI chips to China to protect US interests.

Google agrees with OpenAI’s stance, noting that copyright, privacy, and patent policies “can impede appropriate access to data necessary for training leading models.” The tech giant called for fair use policies and exceptions for text and data mining, deeming them “critical” for training AI on publicly available data.

These proposals have sparked a heated debate among content creators, publishers, and legal experts. Critics, including authors, musicians, and media organizations, argue that allowing AI companies to train on copyrighted content without compensation could undermine intellectual property rights.

Many argue that creators should have control over how their work is used and get compensated if their content contributes to AI outputs. Some have called for new regulations that require AI developers to obtain explicit permission or pay licensing fees.

OpenAI is already facing multiple lawsuits over copyright infringement. These include a case with the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR), as well as lawsuits from The New York Times and a group of authors led by George R.R. Martin. Meanwhile, the ChatGPT maker accused Chinese AI startups of trying to copy its technologies.