UPDATE: News Corp’s chief executive, Robert Thomson, has issued an urgent warning about the threats posed by artificial intelligence to creativity and intellectual property. During a full-year results briefing in New York, Thomson emphasized the need to protect America’s unique advantage in creativity as the company integrates AI tools like NewsGPT and Story Cutter into its newsrooms.
Thomson declared that we are at a historic inflection point in the age of AI. He argued that undermining intellectual property rights equates to “vandalising our virtuosity.” “Is it right that [Donald Trump’s] books should be consumed by an AI engine which then profits from his thoughts by cannibalising content?” he questioned, highlighting the potential impact on the sales of works such as Trump’s The Art of the Deal.
The briefing revealed that News Corp reported a 2% increase in revenue to $8.5 billion for fiscal 2025, despite facing challenges in the news media sector. Net income soared by 71% to $648 million, bolstered by record revenues from its Dow Jones and REA Group segments. Dow Jones, which includes the Wall Street Journal, posted revenues of $2.3 billion, while REA Group, owner of realestate.com.au, also enjoyed significant growth.
Despite these gains, the news media landscape is shifting. Digital subscribers to News’ Australian mastheads plummeted by approximately 50,000 over the financial year. The New York Post saw its online subscriber base drop from 117 million to 90 million, while The Sun saw a decline from 112 million to 87 million. However, The Times and Sunday Times bucked the trend, increasing their digital subscriptions from 594,000 to 640,000.
Thomson’s remarks come amid broader concerns about the implications of AI on creativity and the publishing industry. The ongoing integration of AI tools raises critical questions about the future of intellectual property rights and how content is consumed in an increasingly digital world.
As News Corp continues to adapt to these changes, it is crucial for stakeholders to monitor the impact of AI on both creativity and financial performance. The company is poised to navigate the evolving landscape, but the urgency of protecting intellectual property remains paramount.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
