OpenAI and Google are actively lobbying the US government to permit their artificial intelligence models to be trained on copyrighted content. Both tech giants have recently published detailed proposals outlining their positions, with OpenAI emphasizing that extending fair use protections to AI is not just a legal matter but a crucial issue of national security.
These proposals are part of a broader response to a White House request for feedback regarding the “AI Action Plan,” initially introduced under former President Donald Trump. The plan aims to solidify the United States’ global dominance in artificial intelligence while ensuring that excessive regulations do not stifle innovation.
In its statement, OpenAI warns that restricting AI companies from leveraging copyrighted materials could put the US at a significant disadvantage against international competitors, particularly China. The company highlights the rise of DeepSeek, a growing AI initiative from the People’s Republic of China, and warns of the consequences of a regulatory imbalance.
“There is no question that Chinese AI developers will have unrestricted access to vast amounts of data—including copyrighted material—to refine and advance their models,” OpenAI asserts in its response. “If Chinese firms can utilize such data freely while American companies face limitations, it could effectively determine the outcome of the global AI race.”
The debate over whether AI should be allowed to train on copyrighted material remains a contentious issue, with major implications for innovation, intellectual property rights, and international AI competition.
