CNN partners with Google to explore generative AI for news audiences

CNN has entered into a multi-year agreement with Google to make its journalism available for experiments involving generative artificial intelligence (AI), as the technology company explores new ways to attract and engage news audiences.

The deal gives Google enhanced rights to CNN content for testing features across its products. The initiative aims to examine how AI-powered tools can help audiences discover and interact with CNN's journalism.

Sam Felix, senior vice president of strategic partnerships and business development at CNN, said the arrangement would create new avenues for audiences to access the network's journalism while ensuring compensation for the use and distribution of its intellectual property through AI products.

“With this partnership we’re unlocking new pathways for audiences to access CNN’s unparalleled journalism while being compensated for the delivery and use of our unique intellectual property in connection with AI products,” Felix said.

He added that Google's developments in generative AI had changed how people find information and content, creating opportunities to explore fresh ways of reaching audiences.

The agreement forms part of CNN's broader AI strategy, which focuses on protecting its intellectual property while exploring commercial opportunities linked to the technology. CNN said it is pursuing multiple commercial partnerships and remains in discussions with other industry participants that follow responsible practices.

Google expands AI initiatives with news publishers

Google has been developing commercial arrangements with publishers and content providers to improve its products, including agreements that cover extended display rights and content delivery through application programming interfaces (APIs).

The company said it had partnered with more than 3,000 publications, platforms and content providers across over 50 countries in recent years.

Google is also testing a news-focused AI partnership programme with publishers in several markets. The experiments include AI-generated article overviews on participating publications' pages within Google News, intended to provide readers with additional context before they open an article. The company is also testing audio briefings for users who prefer listening to news.

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