Shutterstock pioneers ‘research license’ model with Lightricks, lowering barriers to AI training data

Shutterstock We are reshaping the way artificial intelligence companies obtain training data through a novel “research license” method, first launched in cooperation with artificial intelligence creative technology companies Letrix. The partnership announced today allows Lightricks to use Shutterstock’s extensive library of HD and 4K videos to train its open source video generation model LTXV.

The new licensing model solves a key challenge in artificial intelligence development: the high cost of accessing high-quality training materials. It enables companies to start with smaller research licenses for testing and experimentation before moving on to more expensive commercial licenses.

Making it easier for startups to develop ethical artificial intelligence

“Many companies and model trainers have gone down the path of unauthorized data scraping. [instead of] Make the necessary investments to achieve the level of quality and trust required to develop a commercially viable model. “However, we believe financial investment should not be a barrier to those wishing to enter this field ethically.”

This two-stage approach could change the way startups approach AI development. Craig Andrews, global PR manager at Lightricks, describes it as “a turning point for smaller, more agile developers looking to explore innovative applications of generative AI without the high upfront costs of traditional licensing.” .

Legal protection and fair compensation in the era of artificial intelligence

The timing is important at a time when legal scrutiny of artificial intelligence training material practices is increasing. Several major artificial intelligence companies are facing lawsuits over alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted material for model training. Shutterstock’s approach provides a legal alternative while ensuring content creators are compensated.

“We are setting ethical standards for AI development while ensuring creators are fairly compensated for their work,” Andrews explained. “This approach not only fosters trust in the creative ecosystem but also establishes a sustainable framework for responsible AI innovation.”

Revenue sharing: a win-win situation for creators and AI companies

Shutterstock has implemented a revenue sharing model where contributors receive 20% of revenue from material licensing transactions. Contributors can also choose not to have their content used for AI training, but Mandel noted that only about 1% choose to do so.

Lightricks plans to use licensed video material to enhance long-lasting viruswhose open source video generation model was released last month. The model has gained huge traction, “in GitHub and Face hugging,” Andrews said. One notable use case is instant video generation for interactive e-commerce.

This collaboration aims to solve technical challenges in artificial intelligence video generation, especially motion consistency in longer videos. “One of the biggest technical hurdles for AI video generation is achieving consistent motion and structure over longer video clips without sacrificing quality,” Andrews said. “Shutterstock’s high-quality video library provides an extensive data set to help us address this challenge.”

For Shutterstock, the partnership represents a strategic shift in its business model. The company has established partnerships with major artificial intelligence companies, including NVIDIA, Yuanand Open artificial intelligence. Mandel emphasized that the research licensing model can democratize access to high-quality training materials for small organizations and research institutions.

Setting new industry standards for ethical artificial intelligence development

The collaboration also reflects a growing trend toward transparency and ethical considerations in artificial intelligence development. Lightricks makes LTXV open source to promote collaboration and innovation, while Shutterstock’s licensing approach ensures content creators are properly compensated.

“The important message here is that companies, regardless of size or funding, no longer have an excuse to scrape unlicensed content for training purposes,” Mandel concluded. “There are better ways to enter this growing market.”

The partnership could set new standards for how AI companies obtain training materials, potentially affecting industry practices as concerns over the source of AI training materials continue to grow. The success of this model may determine whether other content providers follow Shutterstock’s lead and create more flexible and accessible licensing options for AI development.