Google is trialing AI-generated summaries for select articles on Google News pages.

Google Tests AI-Powered Article Overviews in New Pilot Program

Google has launched a pilot program that integrates AI-powered article overviews on the Google News pages of select publications. This initiative, announced on Wednesday, aims to enhance user engagement and provide more context for users before they click on articles.

Participating Publications

The pilot program features a diverse array of news outlets, including reputable publications such as Der Spiegel, El País, Folha, Infobae, Kompas, The Guardian, The Times of India, The Washington Examiner, and The Washington Post, among others. By collaborating with a wide range of news sources, Google aims to understand better how AI can attract and maintain audience interest.

Objectives of the AI Pilot Program

The primary goal of this commercial partnership is to explore how artificial intelligence can foster more engaged audiences. According to Google’s blog post, the company intends to experiment with innovative features within Google News. The implementation of AI-generated article overviews is a central aspect of this program. These overviews are designed to provide users with additional context about news stories before they decide whether to engage further by clicking on the article links.

Implications for News Publishers

While the introduction of AI-generated summaries may potentially reduce the number of clicks on some articles, participating publications will receive direct financial compensation from Google. This monetary support is intended to offset any decline in traffic, thereby encouraging publishers to join the initiative despite the risks. The overviews will exclusively appear on the Google News pages of the participating publications, with no plans for broader use across other areas of Google News or Search.

Previous Implementations of AI Summaries

This isn’t Google’s first foray into AI summaries for news content. In July, the company rolled out AI summaries within its Discover feed, which is the primary news feed in Google’s search application. This update transformed how users engage with content by replacing traditional single headlines with logos from multiple news publishers accompanied by an AI-generated summary. This change emphasizes the collaborative nature of news dissemination and enhances user context.

Access to Audio Briefings

In addition to article overviews, Google is also experimenting with audio briefings as part of the pilot program. This feature targets users who prefer listening to news rather than reading text-based articles, thus broadening the accessibility of information.

Collaboration with News Organizations

Google’s initiative has received support from several organizations, including Estadão, Antara, Yonhap, and The Associated Press. These partnerships aim to incorporate real-time information and elevate the user experience within the Gemini app, further illustrating Google’s commitment to adapting its products to meet the evolving demands of information consumption.

Commitment to Improvement and Feedback

In its blog post, Google reaffirmed its dedication to continually enhancing its offerings based on stakeholder feedback. The company emphasized its collaborative approach, working closely with a wide range of websites and creators, from established news publishers to innovative new voices. This strategy aims to promote diversity in media representation while responding to the expanding needs of global audiences.

Launch of “Preferred Sources” Feature

On the same day as the AI pilot program announcement, Google revealed the global launch of its “Preferred Sources” feature. Initially tested in the U.S. and India in August, this feature allows users to select their favorite news sites and blogs that they wish to see highlighted in the Top Stories section of Google search results. Over the coming days, this functionality will become available for English-language users worldwide, with plans to extend it to all supported languages in the first half of next year.

Enhancements in the Gemini App

Furthermore, Google plans to roll out additional features in the Gemini app, such as highlighting links from users’ news subscriptions in a dedicated carousel. This is expected to be complemented by the implementation of AI Overviews and an AI Mode designed for user convenience. While these features aim to simplify access to preferred news sources, they also raise concerns about confining users to echo chambers that limit exposure to diverse viewpoints.

Addressing Potential Concerns

Alongside its new offerings, Google announced an increase in the number of inline links available in AI Mode. Additionally, it introduced “contextual introductions” for embedded links, which provide brief explanations on the relevance or usefulness of exploring those links. These enhancements signal Google’s awareness of the need to balance personalization with the risk of creating ideological bubbles where users may miss out on broader perspectives.

Conclusion

Google’s ongoing pilot program reflects the tech giant’s commitment to integrating AI in innovative ways that enhance user engagement and provide valuable context. By collaborating with a range of news organizations and exploring various formats like audio briefings, Google is positioning itself to meet the evolving demands of a diverse audience. As this initiative unfolds, the outcome will likely influence how news is consumed and shared across digital platforms, potentially reshaping the landscape of online journalism.

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Emmanuel Kesse

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