Apple is in talks for multiyear publisher deals that would pay media companies when Siri uses their content, WSJ reports. The usage-based model differs from flat-fee AI licensing.
Apple has approached publishers in recent months about multiyear deals that would compensate them when Siri uses their content, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the talks. The usage-based model sets it apart from the flat-fee licensing common in other AI–media partnerships.
Unlike a standard archive license, which gives an AI company broad access for a guaranteed upfront payment, Apple's variable plan ties compensation to how often Siri actually draws on a specific outlet's work. The Journal said Apple has discussed a nine-figure budget for the payments. The content would help power a smarter version of Siri expected later this year.
Apple declined to comment. The company has paid publishers before, including for AI training rights in earlier agreements and through Apple News+, which launched in 2019. The Wall Street Journal was among the first publishers on Apple News+. News Corp, the Journal's parent, has a commercial deal to supply news through Apple services.
The new talks come after a misstep with AI-generated news summaries. Apple disabled that feature in late 2024 after it produced inaccurate headlines and drew complaints from publishers. Placing trusted publisher content closer to Siri's answers could address that accuracy problem while giving media companies a direct financial stake in the assistant's performance.
For publishers, a usage-based agreement with Apple could become a reference point as they negotiate how their work is distributed, credited and compensated across AI services. The variable structure offers more transparency into how often an AI product relies on their reporting.
Apple's Apple (AAPL) shares were little changed in pre-market trading following the report.
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