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Shutterstock reshapes how AI companies access training data with a new “research license” approach, launching first with a creative AI technology company Light rounds. The partnership, announced today, allows Lightricks to train its open source LTXV video generation model using Shutterstock’s extensive HD and 4K video library.
The new licensing model addresses a crucial challenge in AI development: the high cost of accessing quality training data. It allows companies to start with a smaller research license for testing and experimentation before committing to more expensive commercial licenses.
Making ethical AI development more accessible to startups
“Many companies and model trainers have chosen the route of unauthorized data scraping (instead of) making the investment necessary to achieve the quality and level of confidence needed to develop commercially viable models,” said Daniel Mandell , Global Head of Data Licensing and AI at Shutterstock. , in an exclusive interview with VentureBeat. “However, we do not believe that financial investment should be a barrier for those looking to enter this space with an ethical approach.”
This two-phase approach could transform the way startups approach AI development. Craig Andrews, Lightricks’ global head of public relations, describes it as “a turning point for smaller, more agile developers who want to explore innovative applications of generative AI without the high upfront costs of traditional licensing.”
Legal protection and fair compensation in the AI era
The timing is important, amid growing legal scrutiny of AI training data practices. Several major AI companies are facing lawsuits over alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted material for model training purposes. Shutterstock’s approach provides a legitimate alternative while ensuring that content creators receive compensation.
“We are setting a standard for ethical AI development while ensuring creators are fairly compensated for their work,” says Andrews. “This approach not only promotes trust in the creative ecosystem, but also establishes a sustainable framework for responsible AI innovation. »
Revenue sharing: a win-win solution for AI creators and companies
Shutterstock has a revenue sharing model in place where contributors receive 20% of revenue from data licensing agreements. Contributors can also opt out of having their content used for AI training, although Mandell notes that only about 1% have chosen to do so.
Lightricks plans to use licensed video data to improve LTXVits open source video generation model released last month. The model has already gained popularity, with “thousands of downloads on GitHub And Cuddly face”, according to Andrews. A notable use case is real-time video generation for interactive e-commerce.
The partnership aims to address the technical challenges of generating AI videos, particularly motion consistency in longer videos. “One of the biggest technical hurdles in generating AI video is achieving consistent movement and structure across longer video segments without sacrificing quality,” says Andrews. “Shutterstock’s high-quality video library provides a vast data set that helps us address this challenge. »
For Shutterstock, this partnership represents a strategic shift in its business model. The company has already established partnerships with major AI companies, including Nvidia, MetaAnd OpenAI. Mandell points out that the research licensing model could democratize access to high-quality training data for small organizations and research institutes.
Setting new industry standards for ethical AI development
The collaboration also reflects a growing trend toward transparency and ethical considerations in AI development. Lightricks made LTXV open source to promote collaboration and innovation, while Shutterstock’s licensing approach ensures content creators are adequately compensated.
“The important message here is that companies, regardless of size or funding, no longer have an excuse to scrape unlicensed content for training purposes,” concludes Mandell. “There is a better way to enter this evolving market. »
This partnership could set a new standard for how AI companies access training data, potentially influencing industry practices as concerns about the sources of AI training data continue to grow. The success of this model could determine whether other content providers follow Shutterstock’s lead in creating more flexible and accessible licensing options for AI development.
