In today’s Digest, we cover Apple tapping Google Gemini to power AI Siri, Paramount Skydance taking Warner Bros. Discovery to court, and a study revealing publishers’ grim outlook for search.

Apple taps Google Gemini to power AI Siri

Apple has entered into a multiyear partnership with Google to support its artificial intelligence strategy, including a major upgrade to Siri expected later this year. According to a joint statement from the companies, Apple will use Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology to underpin its future foundation models.

Apple said it chose Google after assessing several options, describing Gemini as the strongest technological foundation for its AI ambitions. The companies added that the models will continue to operate on Apple devices and within Apple’s private cloud compute infrastructure. Financial terms were not disclosed, with Apple declining to comment and Google directing enquiries to the joint statement.

Paramount Skydance takes WBD to court

Paramount Skydance has taken legal action against Warner Bros. Discovery, escalating its hostile pursuit of the media group. In a letter to WBD shareholders, chief executive David Ellison said the company had filed a lawsuit in Delaware seeking fuller disclosure of WBD’s sale process and its proposed USD$72bn (£53.3bn) transaction with Netflix. The filing asks the Delaware Chancery Court to require WBD to explain how it valued key aspects of the deal, including the Global Networks stub equity, the overall purchase price, debt adjustments and what Ellison described as a “risk adjustment” applied to Paramount’s USD$30 (£22.20) per share, all-cash bid.

Warner Bros. Discovery called the lawsuit “meritless”, arguing that Paramount has failed to address what it sees as fundamental shortcomings in its offer. The company reiterated that the Netflix transaction remains the superior proposal, adding that Paramount has not increased its bid despite weeks of public campaigning.

Study reveals publishers’ grim search outlook

Findings from the Journalism and Technology Trends and Predictions 2026 report authored by Nic Newman, a founding member of BBC digital news and a research associate at Oxford University’s Reuters Institute, point to growing pessimism about the future of journalism and publishing. The downbeat outlook is reinforced by data showing Google search traffic to publishers fell by around a third between 2024 and 2025, a decline widely attributed to the rapid rise of AI and shifts in how audiences access news.

Based on a global survey of 280 senior news executives across 51 countries, the results reveal a sharp drop in confidence, with just 38% of respondents expressing optimism about journalism’s prospects in the year ahead, down from 60% in 2022. 

Newman cites three key drivers behind the decline: uncertainty over the impact of AI and reduced visibility on search and social platforms, concerns that traditional media is losing relevance with younger and less engaged audiences, and an increasing tendency among politicians to bypass or undermine journalism as part of broader efforts to limit scrutiny.