HarperCollins strikes deal with AI firm to train models using authors’ books

Publishing giant HarperCollins has reached an agreement with an unnamed artificial intelligence company to allow the use of select non-fiction titles for AI model training, subject to author permission.

The deal was first reported by 404 Media, and offers authors $2,500 for a three-year licence of their work, comes with “clear guardrails” around model output and usage limitations, according to the publisher. The identity of the AI company remains confidential as part of the agreement terms.

“While we believe this deal is attractive, we respect the various views of our authors, and they have the choice to opt in to the agreement or to pass on the opportunity,” HarperCollins said in a statement.

The arrangement was revealed after US children’s author Daniel Kibblesmith shared screenshots on social media platform Bluesky of an email regarding his 2017 book “Santa’s Husband”. The email indicated that “several hundred authors” had already agreed to the terms, which are non-negotiable.

Despite HarperCollins stating the deal focuses on non-fiction titles, Kibblesmith’s book is a children’s fiction work, raising questions about the scope of the initiative.

“HarperCollins has a long history of innovation and experimentation with new business models,” the publisher explained. “Part of our role is to present authors with opportunities for their consideration while simultaneously protecting the underlying value of their works and our shared revenue and royalty streams.”

The move follows HarperCollins’ earlier venture into AI technology when it partnered with ElevenLabs in April to produce AI-generated audiobooks for its foreign language business. The publisher’s parent company, News Corp, has also been actively pursuing AI partnerships, including a recent agreement for AI training using Wall Street Journal content.

In response to the announcement, Kibblesmith encouraged supporters to “direct any outrage toward the incredibly doable action of purchasing physical books by living authors from local bookstores.”