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Google Embraces AI-Generated Answers in Transformative Search Overhaul

Wednesday 15 May 2024 - 13:10

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In a significant shift, Google announced plans to introduce AI-generated answers to online queries, marking one of the most substantial changes to its world-leading search engine in 25 years. Chief Executive Sundar Pichai unveiled the forthcoming "AI overviews" feature, which will soon roll out to users across the United States before expanding globally, potentially reaching over a billion people.

Google's search results will feature an AI-generated summary at the top of the page, courtesy of its Gemini technology. These succinct blurbs will offer concise summaries of the information found on the internet, accompanied by links to the online sources that supplied the data.

"You can ask whatever's on your mind or whatever you need to get done - from researching to planning to brainstorming - and Google will take care of the legwork," said Liz Reid, the head of Google's Search team.

This transformative move comes as Google faces mounting pressure from AI-powered search engines like Perplexity and persistent rumors that OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is developing its own AI search tool. Searches through AI chats have also emerged on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, allowing users to obtain information from the web without relying on Google.

While some praise these alternatives for their cleaner experience compared to the often cluttered results of a classic query, creators and small publishers express concerns about the potential impact on website traffic, fearing users may no longer click through to find information.

Gartner, a research firm, predicts that traffic to the web from search engines could decline by 25 percent by 2026 due to the increasing use of AI bots.

However, Google dismisses suggestions that ChatGPT-style AI interactions could significantly impact its business, which heavily relies on advertising sales from its search engine. "We've found that with AI Overviews, people use Search more and are more satisfied with their results," Reid stated.

The company emphasizes that such generative AI tools are making life easier for users, whether they're seeking a yoga studio open on Sundays, planning a trip, or preparing a meal with specific dietary requirements.

Google also plans to test applying AI to searches based on video content as the query source, allowing users to diagnose a broken appliance by filming it with a smartphone and receiving tips for getting it fixed.

Furthermore, Google provided a glimpse of Project Astra, dedicated to building digital assistants to aid with tasks both large and small. "For a long time, we wanted to build a universal AI agent that can be truly helpful in everyday life," said Demis Hassabis, the chief of Google DeepMind.

The capabilities of these AI agents will debut in Google products such as the Gemini app or Assistant later this year, according to Hassabis.

Google finds itself in a fierce AI race with rivals like OpenAI, which recently released the GPT-4o version of its flagship software, capable of generating content or understanding commands in voice, text, or images.

As the battle for supremacy in generative AI intensifies, companies like Google and OpenAI are striving to create conversational, intuitive, and helpful digital assistants that can serve as savvy sidekicks in our daily lives.