Report: Apple talks with publishers to pay for Siri news content

In short: Apple is reportedly in talks to pay news publishers so Siri can use their reporting to answer questions with up to date information.

What happened

Apple has been speaking with news publishers in recent months about using their articles and reporting to help power an updated version of Siri, according to The Wall Street Journal, as reported by TechCrunch.

The goal is to give Siri access to current news and information. Think of it like letting Siri read from trusted newspapers and magazines, instead of trying to guess from older or incomplete sources.

The report says Apple proposed a “variable compensation” approach. In plain terms, that means publishers would get paid when Siri uses their content, rather than getting one fixed fee up front for broad access. The Wall Street Journal also said Apple has considered a nine-figure budget for these payments, which usually means at least $100 million.

Apple did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment. TechCrunch notes that Apple has been working to make Siri more capable for years, and that the new Siri is expected to roll out later this year.

Why it matters

If Siri starts using fresh reporting from publishers, it could give more timely answers when people ask about what is happening right now. It also highlights a bigger issue: news companies want to be paid when their work is used to help AI tools answer questions, similar to how musicians expect payment when their songs are played.

Source: TechCrunch AI