OpenAI has missed its self-imposed 2025 deadline to launch the Media Manager, a tool designed to address creators’ concerns regarding the unauthorized use of their works in AI training datasets.
This delay has drawn sharp criticism from creators and stakeholders, intensifying scrutiny on OpenAI’s approach to intellectual property rights.
Media Manager
Initially announced in May 2024, the Media Manager was positioned as a groundbreaking tool allowing creators to opt their works out of AI training datasets.
OpenAI envisioned the tool as a multi-format solution capable of identifying copyrighted text, images, audio, and video, marking a proactive step toward ethical AI practices.
The company has since gone silent, offering no updates on its development or a revised launch timeline.
This lack of progress indicates OpenAI’s earlier claims of setting a new standard in the industry. While the company initially emphasized its commitment to collaborating with regulators and addressing creator concerns, its actions—or lack thereof—tell a different story.
Internal and External Hurdles
Insiders suggest the Media Manager was never a priority for OpenAI. A former employee stated, “I don’t remember anyone working on it.”
The project’s lead legal advisor, Fred von Lohmann, shifted to a part-time role in October 2024, reportedly stalling development further.
External collaborators have also voiced frustrations over limited communication and the absence of meaningful updates since December.
This lack of transparency has fueled scepticism regarding OpenAI’s intentions to champion creator rights genuinely.
AI and Copyright Infringement
The controversy around Media Manager highlights the broader issue of AI models relying on massive datasets, often containing copyrighted material.
Models like ChatGPT and others have faced backlash for unintentionally replicating proprietary text, images, and other content.
This practice has already led to legal battles. OpenAI faces lawsuits from authors, artists, and media organizations who allege unauthorized use of their works in model training.
Critics argue that OpenAI’s current opt-out mechanisms, such as web-crawling exclusions and manual submission forms, are inefficient and inaccessible for most creators.
Expert Perspectives
Opinions remain divided on whether Media Manager could have resolved these challenges.
- Scalability Concerns: Adrian Cyhan, an intellectual property attorney, pointed out the logistical difficulties of identifying copyrighted content in vast and evolving datasets. “Compliance at this scale is a monumental task,” he said.
- Shifting the Burden: Ed Newton-Rex, founder of Fairly Trained, criticized tools like Media Manager for placing the onus of copyright protection on creators. “Most creators won’t even be aware of such tools, let alone use them effectively,” he noted.
- Limited Legal Safeguards: Copyright attorney Evan Everist argued that tools like Media Manager might serve more as PR exercises than robust legal solutions. “Copyright law doesn’t require creators to prevent infringement—it’s the responsibility of the infringer,” he explained.
Growing Legal and Market Pressures
OpenAI’s challenges extend beyond Media Manager. The company is embroiled in lawsuits with high-profile figures and organizations, including Sarah Silverman, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and The New York Times.
Allegations include unauthorized use of copyrighted works for training models, intensifying the need for tools like Media Manager.
Simultaneously, OpenAI faces fierce competition. Google’s Gemini 2.0 reasoning model, launched in December 2024, has raised the stakes in the AI race.
OpenAI’s delays in delivering ethical safeguards like Media Manager could hinder its reputation as a responsible leader in the industry.
Balancing Growth and Ethics
Despite criticism, OpenAI continues to grow, securing $6.6 billion in funding as of October 2024. The organization has focused on launching advanced AI solutions like the o3 and o3 mini models, designed to tackle complex scientific and computational problems.
Critics argue that this focus on innovation comes at the expense of addressing ethical concerns and regulatory compliance.
OpenAI’s Missed Opportunity
The failure to deliver Media Manager underscores a significant missed opportunity for OpenAI to lead on ethical AI practices.
Creators remain without an effective means to safeguard their works, and the company’s inaction raises questions about its commitment to addressing intellectual property challenges.
