Meta has announced a major expansion of Meta AI, allowing the assistant to deliver real-time news, entertainment and lifestyle updates sourced directly from professional publishers. The company said the feature will roll out across its apps and devices, giving users access to timely information when they ask for news-related queries.
As part of the rollout, Meta has entered commercial data-licensing agreements with several major publishers. The initial group includes CNN, Fox News and Fox Sports, Le Monde Group, USA Today and its wider network, and the media brands under People Inc. The partnerships will allow Meta AI to pull in news snippets and then link users to full articles on publishers’ websites.
Meta said the move is designed to make Meta AI more responsive and accurate, especially for fast-moving events where AI tools often struggle without access to verified, up-to-date information. The company emphasised that linking back to publishers’ own sites is central to the model, giving news organisations visibility and traffic rather than keeping content within Meta’s platforms.
The update represents a shift from Meta’s recent retreat from traditional news distribution, such as the winding down of its dedicated News tab in several markets. The new approach focuses on licensing professional content specifically for use within Meta AI, rather than depending on newsfeed-style consumption.
Meta added that this is only an initial set of partners, with plans to expand the roster to include more global and local publishers. The capability will also broaden over time to include categories beyond news, strengthening Meta AI’s utility for users seeking information across lifestyle, entertainment, sports, business and other content verticals.
By integrating licensed journalism into its AI assistant, Meta aims to boost Meta AI’s relevance in a competitive market where real-time information accuracy has become a key differentiator among AI products.
