Newsletter
Ever since Microsoft integrated ChatGPT into its Edge browser as the Bing AI chatbot, search engine giants like Google have been on their toes to develop a rival. At the Google annual I/O developer conference, Cathy Edwards, VP of engineering at Google, announced that the company would be integrating AI into its search engine, revolutionizing how users search for information online.
According to Google, the new AI Search will provide users with a summary of the pros and cons of any given topic, along with an AI-powered snapshot of key information to consider and links to further study on the topic. And if users tap on one of the suggested next steps, the new Search will take them to a new conversational mode where they can ask Google more about the topic they’re exploring, similar to the Bing AI chatbot.
For example, if a couple is looking for a vacation spot in Europe, the search engine will gather all the available information and provide a recommendation based on the advantages and disadvantages of each spot.
However, the new AI Search, which is not yet available to the public, will be accessible with a waitlist under a new experimental program called Search Labs. Users in the U.S. can join the waitlist today by tapping the Labs icon in the latest version of the Google app or Chrome desktop.
New AI Shopping Experience
Google will also offer a new AI shopping experience built on Google’s Shopping Graph, which will help users quickly connect with useful information online and make informed decisions when shopping for products. For example, if a user is searching for a new bicycle, the AI would give them a snapshot of noteworthy factors to consider and recommend bicycles based on their budget and preferences.
However, it is also worth noting that, like Microsoft’s Bing AI chatbot, the new AI Search will show ads in dedicated ad slots throughout the page. But, Google has ensured that these ads will be distinguishable from the organic search results.
