TOKYO, Oct 28 (Kyodo/APP): KDDI Corp. plans to partner with U.S. tech giant Google to launch a news search service using generative artificial intelligence in Japan as early as spring 2026, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday.
The service, to be provided by KDDI and Google Cloud Japan, aims to prevent copyright infringement by restricting searches to content from domestic media affiliated with the program, the sources said. It will use Google’s Gemini generative AI model.
The AI will not independently collect information from the internet, and source articles will be cited clearly. It has not yet been decided how the news articles will be presented, the sources said.
Telecom giant KDDI seeks to deepen its connection with customers through the initiative that is expected to involve six news companies, including online media.
The plan comes as unauthorized use of articles by generative AI is becoming a global issue.
In August, major Japanese daily publishers Nikkei Inc. and The Asahi Shimbun Co. filed a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court against U.S. startup Perplexity AI Inc., seeking an injunction and damages for alleged copyright infringement.