Artificial intelligence companies are increasingly using published news articles without authorization, raising concerns among media publishers. These companies employ retrieval-augmented generation to scrape and summarize content, making news media the most frequently cited source for large language models (LLMs). This practice deprives publishers of audience engagement, which is crucial for their advertising and subscription revenue.

As AI-generated overviews often combine unlicensed content, they serve as substitutes for original news sources. This trend keeps users within the platforms of major tech companies, limiting their access to news websites. Publishers are facing significant financial challenges as a result, with the lack of audience clicks leading to diminished revenue.

AI companies are also profiting from ads placed against copyrighted and often paywalled content. Critics argue that the information provided by AI can be inaccurate, outdated, or misleading. A report highlighted that AI assistants struggle with basic factual accuracy and often fail to distinguish between opinion and fact. This can lead to responses that are biased or lack essential context.

The financial strain on publishers threatens their ability to invest in quality journalism, which is essential for informed public participation in democratic processes. Critics describe AI companies as "unlicensed news syndicators" that exploit the work of journalists while enriching themselves.

To address these issues, a potential Canada-European Union Digital Trade Agreement could establish guidelines for the ethical use of AI. Key recommendations include protecting intellectual property, ensuring fair compensation for publishers, and providing clear attribution for source content. Additionally, publishers should have the option to opt out of AI overviews without being removed from search engines.

Negotiators are encouraged to consider the Global Principles for Artificial Intelligence, which emphasize respecting intellectual property rights and promoting transparent licensing models. These principles aim to balance the power dynamics between news publishers and dominant online platforms.

The U.S. administration's AI Action Plan focuses on maintaining technological dominance but does not address copyright issues. In light of this, Canada and the EU are urged to collaborate on regulatory measures that support fair tech development while protecting intellectual property rights.

A robust framework for copyright enforcement is seen as vital for the sustainability of reliable news content. The unchecked spread of AI-generated information risks undermining public trust in verified journalism. As misinformation proliferates, the integrity of public discourse and democratic decision-making is at stake. To ensure the viability of a free and independent press, AI providers must not utilize publishers' content without proper consent, credit, and compensation.