Mistral signs deal with AFP to offer up-to-date answers in Le Chat
-
Amelia Cross
- January 16, 2025
- No Comments
Mistral Partners with AFP to Enhance Le Chat’s Accuracy and Multilingual Capabilities
Following Google’s deal with The Associated Press, Mistral has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Agence France-Presse (AFP) to integrate real-time and historical news content into its chatbot, Le Chat.
This marks the first content partnership for the Paris-based AI company, signaling Mistral’s ambitions to evolve beyond being a foundation model provider and into a competitive product developer.
Expanding Le Chat’s Capabilities
Under the agreement, Le Chat will gain access to AFP’s extensive daily news production, which includes around 2,300 stories in six languages (Arabic, English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish). The deal also unlocks AFP’s archives dating back to 1983, significantly bolstering the chatbot’s ability to deliver accurate, up-to-date answers across diverse topics. However, photos and videos are not included in the deal, as Mistral focuses exclusively on large language models.
Competing with Industry Leaders
This partnership underscores Mistral’s intent to challenge leading AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude. The company is reportedly developing standalone apps for Le Chat to enhance user access and engagement.
“We believe improving the accuracy of Le Chat’s responses is a key step in the deployment of our technology, particularly for businesses,” said Mistral co-founder and CEO Arthur Mensch. “Through this partnership, we are providing our clients with a unique multicultural and multilingual alternative.”
A Strategic Move for AFP
For AFP, this collaboration represents an opportunity to diversify revenue streams, especially in light of Meta’s recent discontinuation of its third-party fact-checking program, where AFP was a key partner. “Through this partnership, AFP is further diversifying its revenue sources,” said Fabrice Fries, AFP’s chairman and CEO.
Implications for the AI Industry
This deal mirrors OpenAI’s strategy of forming content partnerships with major media organizations, such as AP, Axel Springer, and Financial Times. Beyond enhancing product quality, these partnerships offer dual benefits for AI companies:
- Strengthening relationships with news organizations by serving as financial allies.
- Shielding themselves from copyright infringement claims through formal agreements.
Mistral’s partnership with AFP is a significant step toward building a robust, accurate, and globally relevant chatbot, potentially setting the stage for more content deals in the future.
