Platform WatchJune 22, 2026via Forbes Innovation
Getty Images Enters Deal With OpenAI, Raising Questions On Training
Why it matters
OpenAI and Getty Images struck a licensing deal that integrates licensed photography into ChatGPT, signaling a shift toward commercial content partnerships. But the silence on whether Getty images were used in training raises critical questions about retroactive licensing and contributor rights—a template issue for all foundation model builders.
Key signals
- Getty Images licensed content now available in ChatGPT
- Getty has 600,000 contributors affected by training-use uncertainty
- Deal structure integrates Getty as commerce layer, not just training data source
- No public disclosure on whether Getty images were used in prior training
- Signals broader trend: AI labs shifting to explicit licensing deals post-controversy
The hook
OpenAI just turned ChatGPT into a Getty Images storefront. But the real story? What the deal says—and doesn't say—about AI training.
The OpenAI deal turns ChatGPT into a storefront for licensed photographs. Its silence on training is what Getty's 600,000 contributors should read first.