OpenAI has missed the deadline for the release of its much-anticipated Media Manager tool, which was supposed to give content creators and intellectual property (IP) holders the ability to exclude their works from AI training datasets. Announced in May 2023, the tool was billed as a solution for creators to manage how their content is used by AI models, offering them more control over their intellectual property.
The Media Manager tool was designed to allow creators to “tell OpenAI what they own,” essentially creating a way for them to opt out of their works being used to train the company’s powerful AI systems. This move was in response to growing concerns from content creators, including artists, writers, and musicians, who were increasingly worried about their works being used without their consent to improve AI models. Many creators feared that their content could be exploited for free, without any compensation, as AI companies continue to leverage massive datasets to enhance the capabilities of their systems.
Despite OpenAI’s initial promises to introduce the tool in 2023, the company has yet to roll out the feature. As OpenAI introduces newer AI models and updates to its existing systems, the company has faced mounting pressure from content creators who demand a more transparent and fair approach to the use of their intellectual property. The delay in the Media Manager’s release highlights the challenges OpenAI faces in balancing innovation with the protection of creators’ rights.
While OpenAI continues to make strides in AI development, the absence of a functional tool like Media Manager leaves many content creators uncertain about how their works are being utilized. As the conversation around AI and intellectual property evolves, it remains to be seen when OpenAI will fulfill its promise to launch the tool, or whether it will be able to address the growing concerns of creators regarding the use of their work in AI training.
The delay in this tool underscores the need for clearer frameworks and policies to govern how AI companies interact with the creative industries and the intellectual property that powers their systems.
