OpenAI has entered into a multi-year partnership with Getty Images to integrate licensed images into ChatGPT and AI search results. The agreement marks a significant step toward legitimizing visual content in AI, providing users with high-quality, legally sourced images from Getty's vast library. This move aims to curb the spread of unauthorized images and ensure creators are compensated fairly.
Statements from CEO Craig Peters
Getty Images CEO Craig Peters emphasized that high-quality, licensed visual content makes AI-powered search more useful and trustworthy. He noted that the collaboration with OpenAI reflects a shared recognition of this, and together they will deliver richer visual experiences to ChatGPT users. This is a notable shift from Getty's earlier stance towards AI companies.
From lawsuit against Stability AI to its own AI generator
In 2022, Getty banned AI-generated art from its library and later sued Stability AI for copyright infringement. However, the lawsuit was dismissed late last year. Despite this, Getty did not abandon AI; a year after the ban, it launched its own generative AI tool powered by NVIDIA Edigy, trained on its own library, offering images with royalty-free licenses. This dual approach reflects a cautious yet innovative strategy.
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Previous deal with Perplexity AI
In October 2025, Getty signed a similar deal with Perplexity AI, granting access to its library for AI search. Perplexity committed to improving image attribution with source links to educate users on legal usage. However, that deal did not allow the use of images for AI training. Whether the OpenAI agreement includes training rights remains unclear, but the focus is on using images in search results and ChatGPT.
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Impact on the image and AI market
This partnership could mark a turning point in the relationship between visual content owners and AI companies. Until now, many organizations viewed AI as a copyright threat. The OpenAI deal shows that collaboration respecting creators' rights while providing value to users is possible. For Getty's photographers and contributors, this means new exposure and compensation opportunities. For ChatGPT users, it means more accurate and visually appealing results with known provenance.
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Learn more about Getty Images on Wikipedia.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2198633/openai-signs-deal-with-getty-to-show-images-in-chatgpt-results
