Getty Images partners with OpenAI to supply licensed visuals for ChatGPT

2026-06-23 · Source: Dataconomy · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

Getty Images has announced a multi-year partnership with OpenAI, integrating its licensed visual content into OpenAI's search and ChatGPT applications to enhance user experience with high-quality, trustworthy visuals. This collaboration marks a significant shift for Getty, which previously banned AI-generated art in September 2022 and sued Stability AI for copyright violations. Despite its past opposition, Getty launched its own generative AI tool, powered by NVIDIA's Edigy AI model, offering royalty-free images. The company also partnered with Perplexity AI in October 2025, providing library access for AI search tools, with Perplexity agreeing to display image credits and source links. While the Perplexity agreement explicitly prohibits AI training data usage, Getty has not disclosed if its images will be used for OpenAI's AI training.

Key takeaway

For AI Product Managers developing visual search or generative AI applications, you should prioritize securing licensed content partnerships like Getty's to enhance trustworthiness and user experience. This approach mitigates copyright risks and provides access to high-quality visuals, potentially differentiating your product. Ensure your agreements explicitly address AI training data usage and mandate proper attribution to educate users on legal content use.

Key insights

Getty Images shifted from opposing AI to partnering with major AI firms, licensing content for enhanced search and generative tools.

Principles

• Licensed content enhances AI search utility.
• Copyright protection remains a key concern.
• AI partnerships can evolve despite past opposition.

In practice

• Integrate licensed visuals for AI search.
• Implement image credit displays.
• Explore generative AI for content creation.

Topics

• Getty Images
• OpenAI
• Content Licensing
• Generative AI
• Copyright Law
• AI Search

Best for: Investor, CTO, VP of Engineering/Data, Tech Journalist, AI Product Manager, Legal Professional

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Dataconomy.