Meta has signed a multimillion-dollar AI licensing deal with News Corp, allowing the social media giant to use content from The Wall Street Journal and other brands for its chatbot responses and model training.
The agreement grants Meta AI access to News Corp content for three years, with Meta reportedly paying up to $50 million annually, according to The Wall Street Journal. This deal is part of Meta’s recent efforts to license news content for AI development, expanding its capabilities.
News Corp confirmed the agreement but did not disclose specific terms. The media conglomerate has previously signed a five-year licensing deal with OpenAI valued at approximately $250 million, demonstrating its commitment to strategic partnerships.
News Corp CEO Robert Thomson described the company’s approach as a “woo and a sue” strategy, stating, “We’ll woo you. We’d like you to be our partner. But if you’re stealing our stuff, we are going to sue you.” This approach reflects the company’s dual strategy of seeking partnerships while pursuing legal action against those scraping content without permission.
Thomson revealed that News Corp is in advanced negotiations with other parties for similar content licensing arrangements, indicating the company’s proactive stance in the evolving AI landscape. The company is seeking partnerships with willing companies while taking legal action against those who misuse their content.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed the agreement and noted that the company has been reorganizing its AI teams to create its next model. Meta has signed multi-year licensing deals with USA Today, People, CNN, Fox News, and other outlets in recent months, demonstrating its commitment to integrating diverse news sources.
Meta stated that integrating more news sources aims to improve Meta AI’s ability to deliver timely, relevant content with diverse viewpoints, enhancing its overall performance. News Corp owns prominent publications such as The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, and other media outlets in the US and UK.
