In today’s Digest, we cover Google coming under UK scrutiny over its use of publisher content in AI products, InMobi and Scope3 launching an autonomous media buying agent, and DeepSeek nearing a $7bn funding round. 

Google under CMA scrutiny 

UK regulators have ordered Google to give publishers greater control over how their content is used in AI-generated search results. Under measures announced by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), publishers must be able to control whether their material appears in AI-generated features, receive clearer information about how their content is used, and gain access to more detailed performance metrics.

Google will also be required to improve attribution in AI search responses and allow publishers to opt out of content being used to fine-tune AI models without having to remove themselves from traditional search results. In response, Google said it is testing new controls that allow website owners to manage how their links and content appear in AI-powered search experiences. The company said it is also expanding the use of inline links, website previews and source attribution within AI-generated answers to encourage users to visit original publishers. 

The CMA said the changes are intended to strengthen publishers’ bargaining power as AI transforms search behaviour, while improving transparency and trust for users.

InMobi & Scope3 launch sell-side AI agent

InMobi is betting on AI agents to sell its premium commerce inventory, launching a new sell-side AI agent developed in partnership with Scope3. The tool is designed to act as an autonomous sales representative, allowing advertisers to directly access inventory from Glance and InMobi’s broader ad marketplace. Through the platform, brands can reach more than 300 million active devices and engage consumers through AI-powered shopping experiences that combine product discovery, virtual try-ons and direct purchasing.

According to the company, AI agents could eventually streamline media planning, negotiation and campaign optimisation, reducing reliance on traditional demand-side and supply-side platforms. InMobi argues that Glance’s commerce-focused inventory is better suited to direct agent-to-agent transactions, where AI systems can negotiate value based on context and user intent rather than through conventional programmatic auctions.

DeepSeek nears $7bn funding round 

DeepSeek is close to completing its first external fundraising round, raising more than 50bn yuan (£5.85bn) at a valuation of just under USD$60bn (£47.4bn), according to sources familiar with the matter. The deal would represent a dramatic increase from the company’s reported USD$10bn (£7.9bn) valuation in April, underscoring growing investor confidence in its AI capabilities and market potential.

Market-focused investors and several Chinese technology companies are said to have pledged around 30 billion yuan (£3.24bn) toward the round, highlighting strong demand for exposure to one of China’s fastest-rising AI firms amid intensifying competition in the sector.