From legal battles to licensing deals: Getty Images now supplies visuals for ChatGPT

The artificial intelligence landscape is full of unexpected twists, but few are as striking as the new Getty Images OpenAI partnership. Just a few years after accusing AI companies of wholesale theft, Getty Images has signed an official agreement to provide its vast library of professional images directly to OpenAI for use in ChatGPT.

Under this deal, Getty’s licensed photos, illustrations, and archival material will appear within ChatGPT’s search and discovery features. Users asking questions or seeking information may now see Getty’s high-quality visuals integrated directly into AI-generated answers. The goal, according to Getty, is to make AI-powered search more reliable and trustworthy by relying on properly sourced, permission-based content rather than the murky data sets that have sparked so much controversy.

What the Getty Images OpenAI partnership means for AI-generated search

This collaboration marks a significant shift in how major content platforms interact with generative AI. For years, Getty Images has been one of the loudest voices demanding that AI companies respect copyright and obtain proper licenses before training on creative works. Now, instead of fighting in court, they are working together.

OpenAI gains access to one of the world’s largest collections of professional photography, covering news, sports, entertainment, historical events, and more. For ChatGPT users, this means richer, more visually engaging responses. Instead of generic or unverified images, the AI can pull from Getty’s curated, high-quality library.

On the other side, Getty Images opens a new revenue stream and reinforces its position that AI should be built on licensed, ethical foundations. This is not just a business deal—it is a statement that content owners and AI developers can coexist through formal agreements.

How this deal reshapes the AI copyright debate

The Getty Images OpenAI partnership sends a powerful signal to the rest of the industry. Up until now, the conversation around generative AI has been dominated by lawsuits, accusations of theft, and demands for compensation. Getty itself was among the companies that sued AI image generators for using its content without permission.

This new agreement does not erase those concerns, but it does offer a blueprint for a different path. Instead of endless litigation, rights holders and AI companies can negotiate licensing terms that benefit both sides. It suggests that the AI industry is moving from a phase of confrontation to one of collaboration.

Of course, not every content creator will be satisfied. Small photographers and independent artists may still feel left out of these large-scale deals. But for major archives and media companies, this partnership demonstrates that there is a viable commercial model for AI-generated content.

Why this matters for the future of AI search

The integration of Getty Images into ChatGPT is part of a broader trend. Search engines and AI assistants are increasingly relying on licensed, verified content to improve accuracy and trustworthiness. As AI-generated answers become more common, the quality of the underlying data becomes critical.

By partnering with a trusted source like Getty, OpenAI is betting that users will value professional, properly attributed visuals over random or unverified images. This could set a new standard for how AI companies source their content. It also puts pressure on competitors to strike similar deals with other major archives.

For publishers and photographers, this deal offers a potential model for monetizing their work in the age of AI. Instead of fighting a losing battle against scraping and unauthorized use, they can negotiate licensing agreements that generate revenue.

What comes next for the Getty Images and OpenAI partnership

Neither company has disclosed the financial terms of the agreement, but the strategic implications are clear. OpenAI strengthens its position as a responsible AI developer, while Getty Images secures a place at the table as AI reshapes how people find and consume visual content.

This is likely just the beginning. As AI search becomes more visual, similar partnerships between content owners and AI platforms will probably multiply. The key takeaway is that the era of AI companies taking whatever they want from the internet may be ending. In its place, a new era of licensing and collaboration is beginning.

For more on how AI is transforming content licensing, read our guide on AI content licensing trends. You can also explore how ChatGPT uses images in search.

Google invests $75 million in A24 for an AI-driven filmmaking experiment

Google is making a bold move into Hollywood, pouring roughly $75 million into A24, the indie studio behind hits like Backrooms and Obsession. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, this isn’t just a cash injection—it’s a strategic bet on how artificial intelligence can reshape the creative process. The investment comes with a new research partnership between A24 and Google DeepMind, Google’s advanced AI lab. This means that Google invests in A24 not only as a financial backer but as a co-creator of future filmmaking tools.

For years, A24 has built a reputation as the most filmmaker-friendly studio in the business. Now, it’s joining forces with one of the world’s leading AI research teams. The goal, according to DeepMind, is to let artists shape the technology rather than the other way around. Directors and producers at A24 will get hands-on access to DeepMind’s research and infrastructure. In return, DeepMind gets real-world feedback from working filmmakers as they develop new tools together.

DeepMind cofounder and CEO Demis Hassabis put it simply: the best way to build tools that actually empower artists is to work with them directly from day one. This partnership is designed to be collaborative, not exploitative. Importantly, the deal does not give Google access to A24’s existing film and television library or its data. So your favorite A24 titles—from Moonlight to Everything Everywhere All at Once—remain exactly where they are.

Why Google chose A24 for its AI filmmaking push

A24 has spent the last decade building a brand that people genuinely love. Survey data shows that more than half of moviegoers count themselves as fans of the studio itself, not just individual movies. This deep audience loyalty makes A24 an ideal partner for experimenting with new technologies like AI. Moreover, the studio is gearing up for its biggest project yet: a roughly $175 million Elden Ring adaptation, directed by Alex Garland. This high-profile production could serve as a testbed for AI-assisted filmmaking techniques.

This deal lands amid a broader wave of studios warming up to AI. Martin Scorsese recently joined AI startup Black Forest Labs as an adviser, using its tools to storyboard an upcoming project. Meanwhile, Netflix quietly built its own AI animation studio, INKubator, to crank out AI-generated shorts and specials. And OpenAI went even further, backing an AI-assisted animated feature called Critterz that’s heading straight for Cannes, made on a $30 million budget using OpenAI’s own tools from start to finish.

Building on this trend, the A24-DeepMind partnership stands out because of its focus on artistic input. Instead of imposing AI on filmmakers, the collaboration lets directors and writers guide the development of new tools. This could lead to innovations in areas like storyboarding, visual effects, or even script analysis—all while keeping the human creative voice at the center.

What this means for A24’s films going forward

So, what will actually change for A24 movies? The partnership is still in its early stages, but the potential is huge. Filmmakers might get access to AI tools that help them visualize scenes faster, experiment with different camera angles, or even generate rough cuts of complex sequences. DeepMind’s expertise in areas like generative AI and computer vision could directly translate into practical filmmaking aids.

However, the deal is careful to protect A24’s creative independence. No existing library or data is being handed over. This means that any AI tools developed will be used on a project-by-project basis, with filmmakers retaining control over how they’re applied. As a result, the studio’s signature aesthetic—gritty, human, and emotionally resonant—should remain intact.

For Google, this investment is a way to gain credibility in the entertainment world. By partnering with a beloved indie studio, they avoid the stigma of being seen as a tech giant trying to automate creativity. Instead, they position themselves as collaborators who want to empower artists. Check out more about how AI is changing filmmaking and Google’s AI projects in 2025 for broader context.

Could this lead to AI-generated A24 films?

Not likely—at least not in the way you might imagine. The focus is on tools, not full automation. DeepMind wants to build software that assists directors, not replaces them. Think of it as a digital assistant for complex tasks, not a robot filmmaker. This approach mirrors what other studios are doing: Netflix uses AI for animation, but human writers still drive the stories. A24’s model will probably be similar, but with more direct input from filmmakers.

In fact, the Elden Ring adaptation could be the first major test. With a budget of $175 million, it’s a high-stakes project that could benefit from AI-assisted planning. Director Alex Garland, known for his visually ambitious films like Ex Machina and Annihilation, might use DeepMind’s tools to streamline pre-production or experiment with new visual effects. If successful, this could set a precedent for how AI is used in big-budget indie films.

The bigger picture: AI’s growing role in cinema

This deal is part of a larger shift. Studios are increasingly exploring AI to cut costs, speed up production, or create new kinds of storytelling. But A24’s partnership with DeepMind is unique because it prioritizes artist feedback. While Netflix and OpenAI are building AI tools in-house, A24 is inviting a tech giant into its creative process. This could lead to more organic, filmmaker-approved AI applications.

Nevertheless, there are concerns. Some critics worry that AI could homogenize filmmaking, reducing the diversity of styles and voices. Others fear job losses for writers, editors, or visual effects artists. The A24 deal seems designed to avoid these pitfalls by keeping humans in control. Yet, as AI becomes more powerful, the line between assistance and replacement may blur.

One thing is clear: even the coolest indie studios are now AI’s newest playground. Google’s investment in A24 signals that the future of filmmaking will be shaped by both human creativity and machine intelligence. Whether that’s a good thing depends on how carefully these tools are used. For now, A24 fans can rest assured that their favorite studio is still in the driver’s seat—just with a very powerful engine under the hood.

Google Chrome Tests a Floating ‘Ask Gemini’ Button That Follows Your Every Highlight

Google is quietly experimenting with a new feature in Chrome Canary that could fundamentally change how you interact with its AI assistant. The Ask Gemini button appears as a floating toolbar whenever you select text on a webpage, offering instant access to Gemini without extra clicks. But will this innovation enhance your browsing experience or simply add clutter?

According to reports from Windows Central, the feature is still in early testing. It presents a small pop-up above any highlighted text, similar to the context menu on Android phones. The toolbar includes four options: Ask Gemini, Copy, Share, and a three-dot menu for additional settings.

This move signals Google’s ambition to embed its AI deeply into Chrome. However, users who frequently copy text without wanting an AI intervention may find the constant appearance intrusive. The key question is whether Google can strike the right balance between utility and annoyance.

How the Floating Ask Gemini Toolbar Works

When you highlight any text on a webpage, a sleek toolbar hovers just above the selection. The star of the show is the Ask Gemini option, which opens the Gemini side panel with your selected text as a ready prompt. This eliminates the need to switch tabs or manually copy content into a separate Gemini window.

Building on this, users can ask follow-up questions directly within the side panel, making research seamless. The three-dot menu currently offers two choices: “Hide for this site” and “Settings.” The latter opens Chrome’s general content settings, which appears unfinished—indicating the feature is a work in progress.

For those who prefer a cleaner interface, the “Hide for this site” option is a welcome addition. It allows you to suppress the toolbar on specific websites where you don’t need AI assistance, giving you control over the experience.

Gemini’s Expanding Presence in Chrome

Google has been systematically adding Gemini entry points across Chrome. The Chrome AI assistant is now accessible via the @gemini address bar shortcut and a pinnable AI Mode toolbar button, both currently in testing. This suggests the company envisions Gemini as an omnipresent layer within the browser.

Furthermore, the text selection toolbar takes this logic further: instead of you seeking out Gemini, the AI finds you every time you select something. This approach mirrors the strategy seen in other Google products, where AI becomes a background utility rather than a separate tool.

It’s worth noting that this news follows the recent addition of an “Ask Gemini” shortcut to the right-click menu, which many users discovered a few weeks ago. That feature already made accessing Gemini relatively effortless. However, the new floating toolbar puts the option front and center, reducing the steps needed to engage with the AI.

Will This Feature Reach Stable Chrome?

Google has not publicly announced the floating toolbar. It remains confined to Chrome Canary, the experimental version of the browser, and there is no guarantee it will ever reach the stable release. The company often tests features that never see the light of day, depending on user feedback and performance metrics.

Nevertheless, the pattern is clear: Google is committed to integrating Gemini into every corner of Chrome. The Ask Gemini button could become a standard tool for power users who rely on AI for research, summarization, or writing assistance. On the other hand, casual users might find the persistent toolbar distracting, especially if they highlight text frequently for copying.

As with any new feature, the success will hinge on customization options. Users who dislike the toolbar can hide it for specific sites, but a global toggle might be necessary to satisfy everyone. Google’s track record with such features—like the side panel and address bar shortcuts—suggests they will refine the experience based on real-world usage.

Practical Implications for Everyday Browsing

For content creators, researchers, and students, the Gemini floating toolbar could save significant time. Instead of manually copying text, opening Gemini, and pasting it, you can now trigger the AI with a single click. This streamlined workflow is particularly valuable when conducting research across multiple tabs.

However, the feature also raises questions about privacy and data handling. When you highlight text and click “Ask Gemini,” that content is sent to Google’s servers for processing. Users concerned about data collection may want to review their privacy settings or use the “Hide for this site” option on sensitive pages.

In addition, the toolbar’s placement could interfere with other browser functions. For example, if you frequently use the context menu for copying or searching, the floating toolbar might overlap with those options. Google will need to ensure the feature doesn’t disrupt existing workflows.

Ultimately, the Chrome AI assistant is evolving rapidly, and this test is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Whether you love or hate the idea, it’s clear that Google sees AI as the future of browsing. The floating Ask Gemini button is a bold step toward making that future a reality.