Sources: Apple is discussing multiyear content deals with publishers to deliver current news and information for Siri AI, with a potential nine-figure budget (Alexandra Bruell/Wall Street Journal)

Apple is reportedly engaged in negotiations to enter multiyear contracts with publishers, potentially paying them on a per-use basis for content utilized by its Siri AI assistant. According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple is considering variable compensation structures, with publishers receiving payment each time their material is cited in Siri responses.

The proposed budget for these deals is estimated to reach nine figures. Specific publishers and payment terms have not been disclosed. Apple's Siri assistant is set to expand its capabilities later this year, boasting the ability to retrieve current information from the web and contextual awareness. However, Apple has not publicly clarified how publisher sources will be acknowledged or linked within these answers.

Apple spokespersons declined to comment on the ongoing discussions. Siri, currently available for testing on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and visionOS 27, will soon be piloted among users later this year. It will be integrated across all Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro, although supported devices and geographic availability may vary.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple's proposed model stands in contrast to typical AI licensing agreements, which typically guarantee a fixed fee for broad access to content. In contrast, Apple's approach would compensate publishers based on actual usage of their content. Apple has a history of similar agreements, including those that granted publishers rights to use their material for AI training purposes, as well as partnerships through Apple News+.

The Journal noted concerns regarding content quality, citing a previous incident in late 2024 when Apple's AI-generated news summaries produced inaccurate headlines, leading to the feature's suspension. Apple is entering a market where publishers are reevaluating their dealings with AI companies. For instance, Reddit reportedly reviewed its Google AI partnership as AI-driven search answers reshape web traffic economics, while Google's AI Overviews have faced legal and regulatory scrutiny concerning publisher content, proper attribution, and loss of web traffic.

A June report from Brookings Institute described an AI licensing market divided into two categories: direct deals with major publishers and intermediary platforms offering content marketplaces, bot controls, and pay-per-use options. The report found that publishers initially enjoyed a click-through advantage from AI interfaces, but this advantage diminished by the fourth quarter of 2025, with a sixfold drop in AI click-through rates.

Publishers are yet to resolve issues regarding attribution, linking, usage reporting, and the calculation methods for variable payments. Apple's upcoming user beta may shed more light on Siri AI's citation and source-linking practices, but it is unlikely to disclose the private commercial terms of any publisher agreements.