Google has started a global pilot program with news publishers to test AI-powered article summaries and audio briefings. Publishers taking part include The Guardian, El País, Der Spiegel, The Times of India, The Washington Post, Folha de S. Paulo, Kompas, and Infobae.

As part of the deal, Google will test new AI features directly on the Google News platforms of participating publishers. The company says the summaries aim to give readers context before they click through to the full story. Google will also test audio briefings, allowing users to listen to updates instead of reading them. Both formats will include proper attribution with direct links to the original articles.

Legal and regulatory concerns

The pilot comes amid legal and regulatory scrutiny. The European Commission is investigating whether Google compensates publishers fairly for the use of their content in AI features. Several publishers have expressed concerns about visibility, attribution, and potential traffic impacts from AI summaries.

In the U.S., Google faces lawsuits related to AI use of news content, including a case brought by Penske Media Corporation. The company is accused of using content in AI tools without proper licensing. This commercial deal with publishers could be part of Google's plan to address these concerns. The company is also increasing the number of in-line source links in AI Mode responses.

Google appears to be following the approach taken by other AI companies, including Meta, Perplexity, OpenAI, and Microsoft, which have negotiated licensing agreements with major publishers. Meta, for example, recently signed licensing deals with CNN, Fox News, and USA Today.

Partnerships for real-time updates

In addition to article summaries and briefings, Google is collaborating with organizations such as The Associated Press, Yonhap, Estadão, and Antara to integrate real-time information into its Gemini app. 

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