Meta AI Gains Direct Access to Real‑Time News

Meta disclosed that it has entered into commercial AI data agreements with a collection of prominent news publishers. The purpose of these agreements is to provide the Meta AI chatbot with up‑to‑date global, entertainment and breaking‑news content. When a user poses a news‑related query, Meta AI will now generate answers that incorporate information from the partnered sources and include direct links to the original articles, allowing users to visit the publishers’ sites for more detail.

The initial roster of partners includes CNN, Fox News, Fox Sports, Le Monde Group, the People Inc. portfolio of media brands, The Daily Caller, The Washington Examiner and USA Today. Meta indicated that it plans to add additional partnerships in the future, expanding the breadth of viewpoints and content types available to the chatbot.

Shift From Earlier News Strategy

The new agreements mark a reversal of Meta’s recent approach to news on its platforms. In 2024 the company eliminated the Facebook "News" tab, and in 2022 it stopped paying publishers for content. By reinstating compensation through these AI data deals, Meta aims to supercharge Meta AI with real‑time news while also giving publishers a new avenue to reach audiences.

Goals for Meta AI

Meta’s blog post emphasized a commitment to making Meta AI more responsive, accurate and balanced. Real‑time events have traditionally been challenging for AI systems to keep current, and integrating a diverse set of news sources is intended to improve the chatbot’s ability to deliver timely, relevant information with a wide variety of viewpoints.

The company also highlighted competitive pressures. As rivals advance their own AI offerings, Meta seeks to attract more users to its chatbot and maintain relevance in the broader AI race, especially following the controversial release of Llama 4 earlier in the year.

Availability Across Meta Platforms

Meta AI is now accessible in over 200 countries. Users can interact with the chatbot through Meta’s suite of apps—Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger—or via the standalone Meta AI app. The integration of real‑time news is expected to enhance the user experience across all these touchpoints.

Used: News Factory APP - news discovery and automation - ChatGPT for Business