The deal will reportedly allow Microsoft to improve an as-yet-unannounced AI model by training it on licensed nonfiction books.

The Microsoft and HarperCollins strike a major AI licensing deal. Credit: Omer Taha Cetin / Anadolu / Microsoft has signed a licensing deal with HarperCollins to train its AI models. According to Bloomberg sources,

Microsoft has entered into an agreement with HarperCollins that will give the software giant access to content from the publisher to train its AI models. As per the terms of the agreement, the Redmond-based company will only have access to non-fiction titles.

According to a statement HarperCollins gave to 404 Media, the agreement protects authors’ “underlying value of their works and our shared revenue and royalty streams.” Author Daniel Kibblesmith posted screenshots of an email showing that he would be paid $2,500 if he allowed one of his books to be licensed.

The HarperCollins publishing company made a deal with an unnamed company, and now it wants authors to license their books to train AI.

This week, HarperCollins became the first of the big trade publishers to agree to a licensing arrangement with a company developing artificial intelligence. It won’t be the last.

HarperCollins has not responded to requests for comment.

HarperCollins US has confirmed a licensing agreement with an undisclosed AI company that will “allow limited use of select nonfiction backlist titles for training AI models to improve model quality and performance”,

A new licensing agreement between HarperCollins and an undisclosed AI company will “allow limited use of select nonfiction backlist titles for training AI models to improve model quality and performance,

Authors are voicing concerns after a major book publisher offered payments in exchange for permission to use their books to train artificial intelligence.