Google ties AI pilot program for Google News to broad content licensing for AI training (heise.de)

• Google conditions AI pilot participation on broad content rights for AI training.
• Non-participation risks losing Google News Showcase payments.
• UK CMA mandates publisher control over AI content use.

"Google is reportedly requiring publishers participating in a new AI pilot program for Google News to grant extensive rights to use their content for AI purposes, including training AI models, according to The Information. The older Google News Showcase program is used as leverage: publishers who join the AI pilot would keep the same annual payment, while those who opt out risk losing Showcase payments if Google discontinues it. Google denies plans to end Showcase. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has already mandated that Google give publishers more control over AI use of their content."