Two 80-Something Greek-American Journalists Sue ChatGPT Creators Over Copyright Concerns

In a bold legal move, two Greek-American journalists have taken on tech giants OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing them of misusing their lifetime of work through the artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT.

Nicholas Gage, 84, and Nicholas Basbanes, 81, both long-time journalists from the small Massachusetts town of Grafton, have filed a lawsuit claiming that ChatGPT has been improperly using their written content. Gage, who is of Greek descent and known for his bestselling memoir "Eleni," and Basbanes, also of Greek heritage and famous for his books on literary culture, say their work was exploited without permission or compensation.

Gage's life story is deeply intertwined with his Greek roots. As a child, he fled Greece after witnessing the tragic execution of his mother in 1948 during the Greek Civil War. He moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was reunited with his father. Gage's memoir "Eleni," which chronicles his search for the truth behind his mother's death, gained significant recognition, including a portrayal by John Malkovich in a 1985 film adaptation. Gage's investigative journalism has explored organised crime and political corruption, and his work has been dedicated to uncovering the truth.

Basbanes, who also has Greek-American heritage, transitioned from a daily newspaper reporter to an author known for his books about literary culture. His 1995 work, "A Gentle Madness," which explores the history of book collecting, reflects his commitment to literary scholarship. Basbanes's admiration for Gage’s work led to a lasting friendship, with the two journalists collaborating and supporting each other's careers.

Their lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, filed earlier this year, argues that ChatGPT has been using their copyrighted material without proper credit or compensation. The two friends discovered this issue when they noticed that AI chatbots like ChatGPT were generating text similar to their own, raising concerns about intellectual property theft.

"It's like highway robbery," Gage said, reflecting on the situation from his office filled with books. "We put so much effort into our work, and now it feels like it's being used without our consent."

Their case has become part of a broader legal battle involving high-profile authors such as John Grisham and George R.R. Martin. The central issue is whether AI companies, particularly OpenAI with support from Microsoft, have unlawfully used vast amounts of written content to "train" their AI models.

OpenAI and Microsoft have not commented on the specific allegations but have been defending their practices in court. They argue that training AI on publicly available content falls under "fair use" of copyright law. However, this defence is still under legal review.

Frank Pine, executive editor at MediaNews Group, which has also sued OpenAI, argues that AI cannot replace the thorough work of journalists. "An AI app will never replace the real work of reporters," Pine said. "It can't go out into the world and gather real news."

For Gage and Basbanes, the lawsuit is a final effort to safeguard the value of their work and the future of journalism. Gage, who has dedicated his life to uncovering stories and seeking justice, and Basbanes, known for his meticulous research, both believe it's crucial to address this issue now. "I might not be around to see the outcome," Gage said, "but it's important to fight for the future of writing and journalism."

The legal battle continues, and it may take years to resolve. Meanwhile, the case has sparked a broader discussion about the role of AI in the creative industries and the protection of intellectual property.

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