Hello, everyone! Today, we’re diving into how Google’s latest AI tools are shaking up the news world with a splash of humor and tech love.

Google has rolled out some shiny new AI features, including AI Overviews, which summarizes search results and keeps users from clicking on traditional links. While it sounds handy, publishers are feeling the pinch as traffic to their sites drops when people ask chatbots for answers instead of visiting news pages directly.

For example, The New York Times saw a drop in organic search traffic to about 36.5% in April 2025, compared to 44% just three years earlier. Google claims these features, like AI Overviews and AI Mode—its answer-bot similar to ChatGPT—actually boost overall search traffic, but publishers say otherwise. The tools often divert users away from original content, cutting off vital referral traffic.

Some publishers have started to adapt by creating content-sharing deals with AI companies, licensing their articles for training AI models. The Times even signed a deal with Amazon to license its content. Other media giants, like The Atlantic and The Washington Post, are exploring partnerships with AI firms like OpenAI to generate revenue through content sharing and advertising revenue splits.

As AI continues to evolve, the pressure on traditional journalism grows. While Google touts increased search activity during events like its developer conference, industry insiders worry about the long-term effects on journalism sustainability and the need for news outlets to rethink their business models.