The American company OpenAI, famous for its conversational AI ChatGPT, has just opened a subsidiary in Paris. This strategic location comes at a time when relations with French press publishers are strained over the issue of remuneration for content used to train AI models.
A strengthened presence in Europe
After opening a first office in the United Kingdom in 2023, OpenAI is continuing its European expansion with a French subsidiary. Located on Rue de la Boétie in Paris, it will be headed by Janine Korovesis, the group’s Vice President of Finance. This structure will allow OpenAI to market its software products and services, but also to carry out R&D activities.
The arrival of OpenAI in France comes at a time when the country is seeking to establish itself as a key player in AI. Startups like Mistral AI, founded by former Google and Meta engineers, demonstrate the dynamism of the French ecosystem. OpenAI will thus be able to get closer to talent and benefit from an environment that is conducive to innovation.
Contrary to what one might believe, the stronghold of AI in Europe is indeed France. Thanks to many companies (Mistral, Kyutai, HuggingFace of French origin) and, above all, renowned engineers, France is carving out a place of choice for itself in the global ecosystem. OpenAI is taking advantage of the windfall effect and showing that its expansion is not over, particularly outside the American borders. Enough to prove that despite very strong regulation, it is not impossible to do AI in Europe.
Tensions with press publishers
However, this implementation comes at a time when OpenAI is in conflict with the French press. The Alliance of the General Information Press (Apig) and the Syndicate of Magazine Press Publishers (SEPM), representing 800 titles, want to open negotiations on the paid use of their content to train AI.
The company behind ChatGPT and the latest o1 model has refused this group approach, believing it is operating within legal limits. Instead, the company invites media outlets to register individually to refuse the free use of their content. A position deemed insufficient by Apig and SEPM, which demand respect for intellectual property rights and do not rule out legal action. Since French courts have historically been very favorable to the interests of the written press, this is probably a losing battle for OpenAI, which will have to refine its strategy.
This standoff is part of a global context where media outlets are seeking to be paid for the use of their content by AI giants. While some titles like Le Monde have reached an agreement with OpenAI, others like the New York Times have filed lawsuits for copyright infringement.
With this implantation in France, OpenAI will have to deal with a European regulatory framework under construction. Regulators are working on developing rules to govern the use of AI, with particular attention to ethical and intellectual property issues.
The presence of an office in Paris will allow OpenAI to be closer to European decision-makers and to adapt to this new environment. A major challenge for the company, which will have to find a balance between its development and compliance with the rules in force.
