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OpenAI and Google have reportedly transcribed YouTube videos to harvest text for their AI models, potentially violating creators’ copyrights.
According to an investigation by The New York Times and Meta, the tech giants allegedly cut corners to access as much data as possible to train their AI models.
OpenAI researchers are said to have created a speech recognition tool called Whisper, which allows audio transcription from YouTube videos. This can yield new conversational text that would make an AI system smarter.
The inquiry cites several sources who claim that more than one million hours of YouTube videos have been transcribed, despite conversations discussing how it could violate YouTube’s rules. The transcripts were then inputted into GPT-4, the advanced AI system powering the most recent version of ChatGPT’s chatbot. Google, the parent company of YouTube, was also reported to have transcribed videos to train its own AI models.
In addition to this, OpenAI president Greg Brockman was personally involved in collecting videos that were used, the Times writes.
OpenAI’s alleged use of YouTube videos could also breach Google’s policies, which prohibit using its content for “independent” applications and the “automated means” of its videos through methods like robots, botnets, or scrapers.
Are tech companies running out of training data?
The report also suggests that OpenAI had depleted its supplies of useful data in 2021, and as a result, discussed transcribing podcasts, audiobooks and YouTube videos to train its next-generation model. By then, it is said that they had mined the computer code repository GitHub, and used up databases of chess moves and data describing high school tests and homework assignments from the website Quizlet.
The Times claims that Google’s legal department requested the company’s privacy team to modify the wording of its policy to broaden the scope of actions it could take with consumer data, including the use of office tools like Google Docs.
According to the Times, Meta is also facing a shortage of available training data, and in recordings reviewed by the publication, its AI team was heard discussing the unauthorized use of copyrighted materials in an effort to keep pace with OpenAI. Having exhausted “almost available English-language book, essay, poem and news article on the internet,” the company reportedly contemplated measures such as acquiring book licenses or outright purchasing a major publishing house.
Last week, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said that using the videos on the platform to train an AI model would be a “clear violation” of YouTube’s terms and conditions after OpenAI’s CTO “didn’t know” whether the tool was trained on YouTube videos.
Advanced systems created by OpenAI, Google, and others need vast expanses of information to learn. This need is depleting the reservoir of high-quality public data on the internet, especially as certain data owners restrict AI companies’ access. The Wall Street Journal states that there is a 90 per cent chance the demand for high-quality data will outstrip supply by 2028.
OpenAI, Google, and Meta have been approached for further comment.
Featured image: Canva
The post OpenAI and Google accused of using YouTube transcripts for AI appeared first on ReadWrite.

The US is experiencing an online sports betting boom following the legalization within several states, experts say gambling hotlines are taking a hit with a mounting call volume.
The rise in calls to helplines is reported as being seen state after state, with the circumstances being more severe and the callers skewing younger than before – with a highlight on men in their 20s and 30s.
NBC News has spoken with the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling Keith Whyte: “We believe, nationwide, the rate and severity of gambling problems have increased across the United States since 2018.
“We have every reason to believe the growth of online sports betting is a major contributing factor to the increase in gambling problems.” This national council also runs the 1-800-GAMBLER gambling hotline.
In 2018, the Supreme Court opened the door for states to legalize sports betting for the first time as this was previously banned. Since then, 38 states have legalized sports betting and five others are in active legislation to make this into a reality.
Whyte expands on how the gambling world has changed since that year: “Before 2018, there was no advertising for sports betting during events.
“Now, you not only have sports betting ads saturating the events, you can even bet on the game that’s right in front of you.”
He goes on to say that further action is needed: “The federal government collected, last year, more than $8 billion in gambling tax revenue. Yet they don’t put a single penny of those windfall profits back into the health system.”
Some of the biggest gaming operators have joined forces
As more states allow for online sports betting, the beginning of April saw an announcement from some of the most prominent operators in the industry. They said they are coming together to form the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) and have pledged more than $20 million to fund the plan.
The new collaboration includes FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Penn Entertainment, Fanatics Betting & Gaming, Hard Rock Digital and bet365. All of these will work as one to promote evidence-based responsible gaming best practices and will share information to protect customers.
Featured Image: Photo by Ryan on Unsplash
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Samsung is ramping up its activity in the PC sector with its All-In-One desktop now launched in the company’s native South Korea.
This product launch comes just a year after Samsung released its first desktop PC in years. Its first foray back into the world of PCs after some time away featured a 24-inch display with built-in speakers that support Dolby Atmos 3D.
Its newest addition has a metal frame, an ultra-slim design (6.5mm), and an Intel Core Ultra processor.
According to publisher Sammobile, an official from Samsung Electronics has said: “Samsung All-in-One Pro is an all-round PC that can be used in a variety of daily life such as studying, work, and hobbies with its sophisticated design and powerful performance.
“It provides a more convenient and free daily life with powerful performance, a differentiated Galaxy ecosystem, and AI functions.”
The PC is priced at 1.99 million (roughly $1,469) and is now available for pre-order, before being readily available from April 22 in South Korea. It’s not yet known if this will be launched worldwide or elsewhere.
Features of Samsung’s All-In-One Pro PC
The metal design runs throughout the products, including the mouse and wireless keyboard which are bundled with the new PC.
Upgrades from the previous Samsung desktop release are apparent throughout, with this computer being bigger and better. It has a 27-inch 4K screen and like the former option is fitted with 3D loudspeakers that are compatible with Dolby Atmos audio.
The Intel Core Ultra processor gives a higher CPU and GPU performance than the 13th Gen Intel Core i5 chip which was used in last year’s variant. It’s expected to come with at least 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage too.
The keyboard has a dedicated Microsoft Copilot AI key with artificial intelligence being weaved in throughout this design.
There’s a built-in webcam and the PC comes with Windows 11 Home and other Galaxy Ecosystem apps and features, including Buds Auto Switch, Multi Control, Quick Share and Second Screen.
This means those with Galaxy phones or tablets can drag and drop files easily between the two, as well as link them up to see and reply to phone notifications on the desktop.
Featured Image: Photo by Babak Habibi on Unsplash
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Apple has announced that it will allow game emulators on its platforms, as part of a raft of new guidelines to adhere to European Union regulations.
For the first time developers can now develop and distribute game emulators via the App Store. The news was sent to developers through an email from the company.
Since iPhones were first rolled out, developers have been attempting to distribute game emulators to iOS users, despite App Store policies prohibiting emulator software. Some apps managed to skirt Apple’s review mechanisms by camouflaging their true functions and hiding emulators within them. However, that is set to change with the new guidelines.
The mini apps and game streaming section has been revised to encompass game emulators. Apple states, “retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games.”
However, the tech giant warns developers they are “responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws.” The status of emulators has always been legally ambiguous as it’s unclear who owns the rights.
In March, the European Commission fined Apple around $2 billion over its alleged abusive App Store rules for music streaming providers. Under the Digital Markets Act, which came into effect last month, it’ll be illegal for the most powerful tech firms to favor their own services over their rivals.
The changes also appeared to respond to the antitrust lawsuit filed by the United States, alleging that Apple was trying to suppress cloud game streaming applications and super apps. In a recent shift, Apple has begun to allow cloud streaming platforms, such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now, access to the App Store.
Apple continues to contest the recent EU decisions, and the European Commission will likely call for further changes.
EU investigation into platforms
Apple, Google parent company Alphabet and Facebook owner Meta are all being investigated by the EU under the Digital Market Act, key legislation designed to keep competition fair.
Both Apple and Google are being investigated over their mobile app stores, which the EU previously ordered must allow greater competition on their respective platforms.
Featured image: Canva
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