Bill Gross established himself as a tech innovator in the 1990s when he introduced the concept of pay-per-click advertising for search engines. Fast forward to today, Gross is now the CEO of a California-based startup called ProRata, which is venturing into uncharted territory with its “AI pay-per-use” business model.
Gross is vocal about his concerns regarding the generative AI industry, describing it as “stealing” and accusing companies of exploiting data for their benefit. Many in the media and creative industries echo his sentiments, leading to a barrage of copyright lawsuits targeting AI firms for alleged theft.
Rather than resorting to legal battles, Gross believes ProRata offers a more equitable solution. The company aims to broker revenue-sharing agreements to compensate publishers and creators when AI companies utilize their work. By analyzing the output of generative AI and attributing each component to its respective copyright holder, ProRata ensures fair compensation through patented algorithms.
Recently, ProRata made headlines with a $25 million funding round and high-profile partnerships with major entities like Universal Music Group, The Atlantic, and Universal Music Group, demonstrating industry support for its mission. Even prominent figures like Tony Robbins and Jeff Jarvis have endorsed the platform, recognizing the need for collaboration in navigating the evolving landscape of AI integration.
Despite its promising start, ProRata remains at an early stage, with upcoming ventures like a subscription chatbot-style search engine slated for release in October. Gross emphasizes the importance of using licensed data exclusively, distinguishing ProRata from competitors that rely on web crawling techniques.
With plans to expand partnerships with influential content creators and establish itself as a trusted player in AI compensation, ProRata’s journey is just beginning. As the company forges ahead, its innovative approach to fair compensation in the AI realm is poised to make a significant impact on the industry.