, the Financial Times, Axios and other outlets have signed on to Google’s AI news initiative. Under the arrangement, they will make their material available for Google’s generative AI tools and look for ways to draw in readers.
Google said on Thursday that the scheme, which began as a trial last year with partners including The Washington Post, has grown to more than 400 publications worldwide.
‘s deal follows Paramount Skydance’s Warner Bros Discovery acquisition
The agreement is ‘s first partnership since Paramount Skydance finished its purchase of Warner Bros Discovery. Chief executive David Ellison has been working to present the combined company as a media business built around technology.
Content rights and payments under the agreements
Publishers will grant Google expanded rights to their content so it can build new AI features. Google, in turn, will compensate the news groups involved for the material they supply, although the financial terms were not disclosed.
Sam Felix, ‘s senior vice president of strategic partnerships and business development, said generative AI has changed how people find information, and that the tools “will help us explore new ways to discover and engage audiences.”
Google said the AI features will carry clear attribution and direct links so readers can reach the sources they value.
Publishers face legal fights and shrinking search traffic
The announcement comes as publishers increase legal action to stop AI companies from using their content without permission to train large language models. News organisations are also dealing with falling referral traffic, as search engines present AI-generated answers that let users get information without visiting websites.
said the deal fits its strategy to protect its intellectual property, adding that it holds several commercial partnerships and is in ongoing talks with other industry players. The broadcaster’s offerings span TV channels, online video and digital reporting across the globe, among them International, Originals, a subscription option sold directly to viewers, and Newsource.
