GoKawiilUnsealed filings show Microsoft, OpenAI staff privately called AI training data use theft
Newly unsealed court documents in The New York Times' lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft reveal internal statements warning that their AI models were creating a 'doom loop' harming the web. A Microsoft applied science director reportedly described the companies' data scraping practices as the 'largest theft of labor in human history' and a mockery of fair use. Microsoft has distanced itself from these remarks, calling them one employee's personal opinion rather than the company's official stance.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
These internal admissions could bolster the Times' copyright case by suggesting the companies were aware of the harm their practices caused to publishers even as they proceeded. The dispute also underscores broader anxiety in the media industry that AI chatbots are siphoning traffic and value away from original content creators, a phenomenon sometimes called 'Google Zero.'
- Unsealed filings quote Microsoft and OpenAI staff acknowking damage to publishers from AI training practices.
- Microsoft says the comments were one employee's personal, academic viewpoint, not corporate policy.
- The revelations could strengthen The New York Times' copyright lawsuit against both companies.
Source: theverge.com — Terrence O'Brien, 2026-09-18
Published there as: “OpenAI and Microsoft knew they were starting a ‘doom loop’ for the web”
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