- Meta’s AI chatbot will soon begin quoting Reuter’s articles when answering news related queries.
- The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, and Dotdash Merdith have all inked deals with Open AI, signaling a market trend towards collaboration between AI companies and news outlets.
Meta’s AI chatbot is set to enhance its news-related interactions through a new multi-year licensing agreement with Reuters. Starting last Friday, users in the U.S. will receive summaries and direct links to Reuters content when asking news-related questions across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. In this arrangement, Reuters will be compensated for the use of its reporting in Meta’s chatbot responses, marking a significant move towards integrating credible news sources into AI-driven conversations.
This collaboration comes amid a broader trend in the media landscape, where news organizations are increasingly seeking partnerships with AI companies. Notable players such as The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, and Dotdash Meredith have already signed licensing deals with OpenAI, demonstrating a willingness to adapt to the evolving digital environment. “AI is coming, it is coming quickly. We want to be part of whatever transition happens,” said The Atlantic CEO Nicholas Thompson in an interview with The Verge. He emphasized that, while the outcome of this transition remains uncertain, participating in it is crucial for the future of journalism.
Conversely, the New York Times is taking a more adversarial approach, currently embroiled in a costly legal battle against OpenAI and Microsoft. The publication alleges that these tech companies have infringed on its copyright in the development of their AI models, highlighting the tension between traditional media and emerging technology.
While Meta is now prepared to pay for news content through its partnership with Reuters, it faces its own challenges regarding compensation laws for news publishers. In Canada, for instance, Meta has opted to block all news publisher accounts and links on its platforms rather than comply with new legislation requiring compensation for news content. This decision underscores the complexities of navigating regulatory environments in different regions.
Similarly, Google has threatened to take action in California over a proposed ‘link tax’ law, which ultimately did not pass. The bill would have required online platforms like Google and Meta to pay publishers when they link to or quote news headlines from their sites. Instead, Google reached a $250 million partnership agreement with news outlets, with a portion of those funds allocated to support AI initiatives.
As the landscape continues to evolve, Meta’s partnership with Reuters could signal a significant shift in how AI interacts with journalism, providing a model for other tech companies to follow in responsibly integrating news content into their platforms.
