Google is testing a new AI-powered feature that could change the way users interact with news on its platform. The tech giant has announced a pilot program in which select publications will have AI-generated overviews displayed on their Google News pages. This initiative, part of a broader effort to explore how artificial intelligence can enhance user engagement, includes major outlets such as Der Spiegel, El País, The Guardian, and The Washington Post, among others.
The goal of this partnership is to provide readers with more context before they click through to read full articles. While these summaries might reduce the number of clicks on individual articles, participating publishers will receive direct payments from Google, potentially offsetting any decline in traffic. Importantly, the AI overviews will only appear on the specific Google News pages of the participating publications and not elsewhere on the platform.
This isn’t Google’s first foray into AI-driven news summaries. In July, the company introduced similar features in its Discover feed, where users now see AI-generated summaries instead of just headlines. The summaries cite multiple sources, offering a more comprehensive view of the news. Additionally, Google is experimenting with audio briefings for users who prefer listening to news rather than reading it.
As part of the same pilot program, Google is also working with organizations like Estadão, Antara, Yonhap, and The Associated Press to integrate real-time data into its Gemini app. The company emphasized that these features will include clear attribution and links to the original articles. Furthermore, Google is enhancing the “Preferred Sources” feature, which allows users to prioritize their favorite news sites in search results. This feature, initially launched in the U.S. and India, will now be available globally to English-language users, with plans to expand to other languages next year.
Users will soon see links from their news subscriptions highlighted in a dedicated carousel within the Gemini app. Future updates will include AI Overviews and AI Mode, which aim to make accessing news more seamless and personalized. However, some experts warn that these features could create echo chambers, limiting users’ exposure to diverse perspectives.
Google is also increasing the number of inline links in AI Mode and introducing “contextual introductions” for embedded links. These explanations help users understand why a particular link might be relevant, enhancing the overall experience.
The company continues to refine its products based on feedback from users and stakeholders. As part of this ongoing effort, Google is collaborating with publishers of all sizes, from major news outlets to emerging voices, to ensure that its tools remain valuable and inclusive.
