News Corp labels some AI companies 'crass kleptomaniacs'

Pay it for content, like OpenAI and Meta, to become 'principled' and 'honorable'

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has publicly criticized certain artificial intelligence companies, labeling them as "crass kleptomaniacs." CEO Robert Thomson, speaking during the latest results announcement, warned that AI companies are stealing and profiting from News Corp's content. He emphasized that without News Corp's high-quality content, users would be inundated with "slimy AI slop."

News Corp maintains trusted content relationships with OpenAI and Meta, and is in advanced discussions with other companies. However, the company is taking aggressive action against AI companies that pilfer and profit from their work. Thomson accused browser maker Brave of shamelessly stealing News Corp's content and using it for profit, while also accusing companies that have taken News Corp's content without permission.

He vowed to pursue these companies and companies that are clients of these "crass kleptomaniacs" in court. The CEO suggested that these legal actions could have significant consequences for the AI companies involved. Thomson praised companies that pay for News Corp's content, describing them as "principled" and "honorable." He also highlighted that News Corp's Digital Real Estate Services segment is its fastest-growing business, with revenue jumping 12 percent to $1.8 billion. News Corp's revenue for the full year reached $9.03 billion, up 7 percent.

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