CNN, Axios, and Other News Sites Join Google's AI Program

Some of the biggest names in news, including CNN, Axios, and the Financial Times, have joined a special program run by Google. The program lets Google use content from these news outlets to power its artificial intelligence (AI) features. In return, Google pays the publishers for the right to use their work. The deal was announced on Thursday, October 15.

Google's program started as a small test last year with a few partners, like The Washington Post. Now it has grown to include more than 400 publications from around the world. That is a big jump, and it shows that many news organizations are interested in working with AI companies rather than fighting them.

For CNN, this deal is also special for another reason. It is the network's first major business partnership since a company called Skydance bought CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. CNN's new CEO, David Ellison, wants to turn CNN into a technology-focused media business. Joining Google's AI program is one step toward that goal.

So how does the deal work? Publishers agree to give Google extra rights to use their content. This allows Google to build new AI features, like tools that can answer questions or summarize news stories. Google then pays the news organizations for this access, though the exact dollar amounts were not shared publicly.

CNN says the partnership fits with its plan to protect its content and grow its business. Sam Felix, CNN's senior vice president of strategic partnerships, explained what the deal means for the network. He said Google's AI tools will help CNN find new ways to reach and connect with audiences. CNN also has other business deals and is talking with more partners in the industry.

One big concern for news publishers today is that AI tools can give readers answers without sending them to a news website. This means fewer people click on links to read full stories, which hurts the money publishers make. Google says its AI features will clearly show where information comes from and include direct links, so readers can visit the original sources.

There is also a larger battle happening in the news world. Many publishers are taking legal action against AI companies that use news articles to train their systems without asking for permission or paying for it. By joining Google's program, CNN and others are choosing a different path — working with an AI company through a formal, paid agreement instead of going to court. CNN operates many services worldwide, so protecting how its content is used online is very important to the network.