A federal court document unsealed on Thursday details the New York Times’ claim that OpenAI scraped 10 million articles to train its AI models, nearly a third of which it says came from the Times itself.
The document quotes Microsoft’s Director of Applied Science Brent Hect, who called the alleged use “an astonishing theft of unprecedented proportions” and warned of a possible “accidental cover‑up” by OpenAI.
Microsoft dismissed Hect’s comments as the opinion of a single employee, adding that they do not reflect the company’s views.
The lawsuit, filed three years ago, also names other publishers such as Ziff Davis, Mother Jones, The Intercept and several local papers, all seeking damages for each article allegedly misappropriated.
In early September, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief supporting OpenAI and Microsoft, citing scientific progress, economic growth and national security, while the plaintiffs asked for a summary judgment that would bypass a trial.
If granted by U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein, the case would close in 2027, though the judge is expected to rule only after a full review of the evidence.