Apple has reportedly approached publishers in recent months about licensing their content to power an updated Siri AI, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Rather than offering fixed licensing fees — the usual industry practice — Apple proposed a variable compensation model that would pay publishers when their content is actually used.

The company has considered a nine-figure budget for these payments. The discussions come as Apple works toward delivering a significantly smarter Siri, years after promising a more capable assistant.

The upgraded Siri AI is expected to roll out later this year. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TechCrunch.