The NYT vs OpenAI Is Not Just a Legal Battle

There are three layers to this complex conflict and we must understand all three

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It’s 2024 already. Amid New Year resolutions and a newfound determination to defy bad habits and build better ones, the difficulty of leaving behind grudges of the past stands out. It’s not that striking, however, when the dispute that’s carried over is not just a past grudge but a life-or-death battle that began a week ago.

I’m talking about the New York Times (NYT) lawsuit against OpenAI.

Before you log off thinking you already know all there is to know about the topic, let me tell you that this article is not about the legal conflict or even the technical discussions that underlie the NYT’s arguments (although I will touch on that).

It’s primarily about a deeper fundamental disagreement that separates — perhaps hopelessly — those who support one side from those who support the other: The relationship between morality and progress.