Apple weighs usage-based publisher deals for Siri

The company is reportedly discussing payments tied to how often Siri uses news content, as Apple works on a broader AI upgrade for the assistant.

Apple is reportedly looking for a new way to bring current news and information into Siri. The Wall Street Journal says the company has approached publishers in recent months about using their content to support the upgraded Siri AI.

The talks matter for a simple reason: as AI assistants get better at answering questions, the issue of who gets paid for the underlying journalism becomes harder to avoid. Apple is said to be considering a variable compensation model, paying publishers when their content is actually used rather than through a standard fixed licensing fee.

That would make the arrangement notably different from many existing content deals — and potentially more uncertain for publishers.

Apple’s plan would tie payments to Siri’s actual use

The proposed arrangement would depart from the standard licensing model. Publishers are often paid a set amount for broad access to their content, but Apple’s reported approach would connect compensation to how often Siri draws on that material.

That could make the model more flexible. It could also make revenue less predictable. Instead of receiving a guaranteed fee, publishers would depend on how frequently Siri uses their reporting.

The report says Apple has considered a nine-figure budget for these payments. As IT-PUB News notes, that suggests the company sees the effort as a meaningful part of its Siri upgrade, not just a side project.

Apple is rebuilding Siri around a larger AI push

The discussions come as Apple works on a substantial Siri overhaul. The company has spent years trying to make the assistant more capable, after earlier promises of a smarter AI-powered experience.

According to the report, Siri AI is expected to roll out later this year. That timing helps explain why Apple is talking to publishers now: if Siri is meant to deliver current news and information, it needs reliable access to timely material.

For users, that could shape the kinds of answers Siri can provide. A stronger assistant may be able to surface fresher information, but the source of those answers becomes an important part of the story.

Publishers are being offered a different kind of AI deal

Apple’s proposal stands out because it reflects a broader change in how tech companies are trying to secure content for AI products. Instead of paying for access through a traditional bulk agreement, Apple appears to be exploring a usage-based model.

That may appeal to companies that want payments more closely tied to actual consumption. But it also raises an obvious concern: some publishers may prefer the certainty of a fixed licensing fee.

The report does not say which publishers Apple has contacted or how far the talks have progressed. Apple also did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment, so for now these remain negotiations, not a finalized program.

The talks could affect how AI assistants handle news

If Apple moves forward, the plan could shape how AI assistants use up-to-date information more broadly. Siri is one of Apple’s most visible consumer products, so any content arrangement around it is likely to draw attention from publishers and tech companies alike.

For Apple, the benefit described in the report is fairly direct: better access to current news and information could make Siri more useful. For publishers, the opportunity is less straightforward. A usage-based model could open a new revenue stream, while also tying earnings to Apple’s own choices about how Siri uses their content.

At this stage, the report points to a key part of Apple’s AI effort. The company is not just trying to improve Siri’s technical capabilities — it is also working through who provides the information behind Siri’s answers, and how that material should be paid for.