OpenAI is urging the U.S. government to make it easier for artificial intelligence companies to train on copyrighted material. They are arguing that loosening restrictions would help maintain America’s global leadership in AI innovation.
In a policy proposal submitted on Thursday as part of President Donald Trump’s upcoming AI Action Plan, OpenAI called for “freedom-focused” policies that would ease regulatory burdens on AI companies. The company specifically argued against state laws that impose strict copyright restrictions, which it says could slow AI progress.
The use of copyrighted material in AI training has been a contentious issue, with OpenAI facing multiple lawsuits from news organizations like The New York Times and The Chicago Tribune, as well as authors and artists. These lawsuits accuse the company of using copyrighted content without permission or compensation.
Despite legal challenges, OpenAI maintains that a “fair use” approach to copyrighted content would balance the rights of creators while also protecting U.S. interests in the global AI race, particularly against China. The company warned that overregulation could weaken America’s AI sector, potentially giving China an advantage.
Trump’s administration has signaled a pro-business stance on AI, rolling back regulations put in place by former President Joe Biden, who had raised concerns about AI’s potential risks to national security and society. With AI policy at the center of technological and economic competition, the debate over copyright rules is set to intensify as the government crafts new regulations.
