Academic authors 'shocked' publisher sells access to their research to MS AI

Academic authors are shocked and concerned after discovering that Taylor & Francis, a major academic publisher, sold access to their research to Microsoft for use in developing AI systems. The deal, worth about £8 million ($10 million) in its first year, was revealed in a trading update by Taylor & Francis' parent company, Informa, in May 2024.

Many authors were unaware of this arrangement, as Taylor & Francis did not notify them or provide an option to opt out. Additionally, there is no indication that authors will receive any extra compensation for the use of their research by Microsoft. This lack of communication and the inability to opt out have raised significant concerns among the academic community about transparency and author rights.

Dr. Ruth Alison Clemens, a lecturer in modern English literature, voiced her frustration, stating that she only learned about the deal through word of mouth and was dismayed that Taylor & Francis did not publicize the information more widely. The Society of Authors has also criticized the publisher for not consulting with authors before finalizing the deal and highlighted potential issues related to copyright, moral rights, and data protection.

Taylor & Francis has defended the arrangement, claiming that it protects the integrity of the authors' work and limits the verbatim reproduction of text. However, the academic community remains wary, with many calling for clearer policies and better communication regarding such partnerships in the future.