Apple partners with Shutterstock to access millions of images for AI training

The move reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are seeking formal agreements to access content for AI training purposes, avoiding potential copyright issues associated with web scraping.

According to Reuters, the deal, estimated to be worth between $25-50 million, was finalized after ChatGPT's release at the end of 2022. This agreement places Apple alongside other major tech players like Meta, Google, and Amazon, all of which have reportedly struck similar deals with Shutterstock.

Additionally, Apple has been in talks with news publishers to explore licensing their articles for AI model training, underscoring the company's commitment to leveraging quality content to enhance its AI capabilities.

The company is gearing up to unveil significant advancements in iOS 18, slated to be announced at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10.