Culture Minister Marc Miller has stated that the Canadian government must engage in serious discussions about how artificial intelligence (AI) systems utilize news media information. Miller expressed concerns that the way news is being 'cannibalized and regurgitated' by these technologies undermines the original intention behind the news content, highlighting the necessity for clearer guidelines and responsibilities from the companies that utilize such information.

During his remarks at a national summit dedicated to AI and culture, Miller was questioned about the prospect of expanding the Online News Act to include AI companies. This Act mandates that tech giants like Meta and Google compensate media outlets for their content, a requirement that has seen Meta remove news from its platforms, while Google has complied by making payments to news organizations. Miller clarified that the focus should not be on amending the legislation itself but rather on ensuring that companies act ethically and responsibly in their handling of news content.

The conversation around AI's dependency on journalism is increasingly pertinent, especially given a recent report noting that AI systems rely heavily on Canadian journalism to provide users with accurate information. The implications of this dependency raise significant questions about the sustainability of journalism and the need for platforms to recognize and support the original content that informs their AI outputs.