Google has unveiled what it describes as one of its most substantial updates yet, incorporating more artificial intelligence into its search engine. The update brings several new features to Google Search, allowing users to search using videos, voice queries, and images, as well as identify songs. In addition, the search results will be reorganised to offer new ways of shopping and organising information through the assistance of AI technology.
The company is also revamping its “AI Overviews” feature, which has faced issues in recent months, such as providing questionable advice to users. The updated version will now include more links to web pages to provide additional context for users’ queries. Some tools, such as the ability to ask questions while recording a video, will work in tandem, leveraging AI to generate comprehensive responses and offer relevant resources from the web.
This update reflects the ongoing competition among major tech companies to introduce innovative AI-powered tools to keep users engaged and attract new ones. OpenAI, the company behind the generative AI chatbot ChatGPT, recently raised a record-breaking $6.6 billion in funding, highlighting the growing enthusiasm around AI technologies.
Google has announced that it will roll out new AI-organised search results pages, initially focusing on recipes and meal-related searches on mobile devices in the United States. According to Google, these updated search result pages will provide users with a full-page experience, presenting relevant content curated for individual preferences, including articles, videos, and forums in one central location.
In a bid to support businesses utilising Google Search, the tech giant has introduced ads within AI Overviews, a move aimed at enhancing user engagement and facilitating access to relevant websites. Google’s decision to include links within Overviews has reportedly made it easier for users to navigate to websites that pique their interest, ultimately driving more traffic to supporting websites compared to the previous design.
The developments in Google’s search engine signal a broader industry trend towards integrating AI technologies to enhance user experiences and deliver more tailored search results. As the company continues to innovate, these advancements are likely to shape the future of search technology and further heighten the competition among tech giants striving to leverage AI for improved user engagement and enhanced search functionalities.