NYT Strike Drama: Perplexity CEO's Offer Backfires Big Time!
date
Nov 5, 2024
damn
language
en
status
Published
type
News
image
https://www.ai-damn.com/1730773336011-202308311057053462_2.jpg
slug
nyt-strike-drama-perplexity-ceo-s-offer-backfires-big-time-1730773352977
tags
NYT
Perplexity
tech strike
AI ethics
media controversy
summary
1. NYT tech workers strike after failed negotiations over salary and work conditions.
2. Perplexity CEO's offer to help during the strike is seen as undermining the workers.
3. Public backlash against Perplexity grows, with accusations of ethical violations.
4. There's already tension between NYT and Perplexity due to previous legal conflicts.
5. The strike continues, with no resolution in sight and both sides at a standoff.
The drama at The New York Times (NYT) has hit a fever pitch as the Tech Union declared a strike, citing broken promises and unmet demands. Among these grievances? A simple ask for a 2.5% annual salary increase and a reaffirmation on the good ol' two-days-a-week office requirement! After negotiations fell flat, the union threw its hands up and said, 'That’s it, we're out!'
Oh, and it's not just any regular ol' strike. This one's happening two days before the U.S. presidential election—you know, the event where millions turn to the NYT for their political fix. Naturally, AG Sulzberger, NYT's publisher, was less than thrilled, calling this timing 'inappropriate.' (Ya think?!)
But wait, it gets juicier.
Enter Perplexity CEO: Aravind Srinivas
As union members were out on the streets with their picket signs, Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, decided to stir the pot. He took to social media and, in a move that will surely go down in PR disaster history, offered Perplexity's services to keep the NYT ship afloat during the election storm. Now, if you thought that’d go over well, you’d be wrong. Dead wrong. The internet was quick to brand Srinivas as a "scab", a term lovingly reserved for people who undermine striking workers. Ouch.
Srinivas, not one to back down, tweeted at Sulzberger, saying that Perplexity could provide the technical muscle to ensure seamless election coverage. Cue the collective eye roll from the striking techies, who immediately saw this as an attempt to replace their skills with AI. And they weren't having it.
Damage Control? Not So Fast...
As the backlash reached a fever pitch, Srinivas tried to backpedal. He clarified that his offer wasn’t to replace real, live humans with robots. But the damage was done. The public furor had been unleashed. People were quick to point out that his interference was only making things worse, and many saw it as adding fuel to the fire of the NYT vs. Perplexity feud that had been smoldering for a while now.
A Rocky Relationship
Speaking of feuds, the relationship between NYT and Perplexity had already been on the rocks. Just a month ago, NYT slapped Perplexity with a cease-and-desist letter, accusing the AI company of swiping—er, 'scraping'—NYT articles to feed its AI model. (Is it still plagiarism if a robot does it?) Srinivas didn't exactly rush to clear the air on that one, which only made things worse.
So here we are, in the midst of a strike, with AI ethics, worker rights, and corporate drama all colliding in a perfect storm. The tech workers are still holding their ground, while Perplexity’s offer has done nothing but solidify their resolve. And the NYT? They're stuck in the middle, trying to make it through election season without completely imploding.
What's Next?
The union’s strike shows no signs of slowing down, and Perplexity’s involvement has only made things messier. Who will emerge victorious in this three-way standoff? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: all eyes are glued to this ongoing saga. Buckle up.
Summary
- NYT Tech Union strikes over unmet salary and office work demands.
- Perplexity CEO offers AI services during the strike, causing outrage.
- Accusations of "scab" behavior fly, making tensions skyrocket.
- NYT and Perplexity already have bad blood over article scraping accusations.
- The strike continues, with no end in sight and both sides digging in their heels.