TikTok owner ByteDance says use of OpenAI technology in compliance with service terms

ByteDance said when it started exploring LLMs earlier this year, a small group of its engineers used OpenAI’s API service in an experimental model. OpenAI said that although the use of its API was minimal, it has suspended ByteDance’s access to its service pending an investigation. — SCMP

TikTok parent ByteDance said that its use of OpenAI’s technology to aid the development of its own artificial intelligence (AI) models was in compliance with the US firm’s service terms, refuting a claim that it made use of the technology to build a rival service.

ByteDance made the clarification on Sunday after a report by a US technology outlet, citing internal sources, alleged that the Chinese short video giant stealthily used OpenAI’s technology to develop its own large language model (LLM), while trying to cover its track through “data desensitisation.”