Sarah Travers
In an effort to counter the growing threat to its position as the primary gateway to the internet, Google has announced plans to integrate more advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its search engine.
The move comes as the company faces increasing competition and aims to strike a delicate balance between delivering reliable search results and staying at the forefront of technological innovation.
Expanding Conversational AI with Bard
Google has been conducting tests on its own conversational chatbot called Bard, and it has now made the chatbot available to users in over 180 countries, supporting multiple languages. Bard’s capabilities will provide users with a more interactive and conversational search experience.
By leveraging AI, Bard aims to understand user queries better and provide more accurate and comprehensive responses.
Incorporating AI into Other Google Products
Google’s plan extends beyond the search engine, as the company intends to incorporate AI technology into other products such as Gmail and a photo tool called “Magic Editor.”
By infusing AI into these products, Google aims to enhance user experiences and offer more intelligent and intuitive functionalities.
Creating a Search Lab for Generative AI Testing
To explore the potential of generative AI in search results, Google will establish a dedicated search lab. This lab will experiment with how AI-generated content can be seamlessly integrated into search results while maintaining factual accuracy.
AI-generated summaries will be carefully tagged as experimental, ensuring transparency to users.
Striking a Balance with Factual AI Results
While conversational chatbots like Bard and ChatGPT have a more human-like conversational tone, the AI results incorporated into Google’s search engine will adopt a factual tone.
This approach aims to provide users with reliable information while leveraging the capabilities of AI technology.
Guardrails to Prevent Sensitive Query Responses
To protect user privacy and prevent AI from responding to sensitive health and finance queries, Google will implement guardrails.
These measures will ensure that sensitive information is not inadvertently shared, and users can trust the search results provided by the AI-powered system.
Stock Rebound and Bard’s Development
Initially, Alphabet’s stock experienced a dip in response to the perceived threat posed by the integration of AI into Google’s search engine. However, the stock has since rebounded, indicating renewed confidence in the company’s ability to navigate the changing landscape.
Google remains committed to further developing Bard and plans to make it even smarter by connecting it with the next generation of a large language model, which will provide the chatbot with access to a vast amount of data for improved responses.
Introducing “Perspectives” Filter and Unveiling Pixel Fold
In addition to the AI advancements in search, Google is introducing a new filter called “Perspectives.” This feature will allow users to focus on online discussions related to search topics, enabling a deeper exploration of different viewpoints and opinions.
Furthermore, Google has unveiled its first foldable smartphone in the Pixel lineup. Priced at $1,800, the device boasts AI capabilities, enhancing user interactions and experiences.
As Google takes steps to incorporate advanced AI technology into its search engine and other products, the company aims to maintain its dominance in the digital realm. By striking the right balance between innovation and reliability, Google is positioning itself to continue providing users with accurate and comprehensive search results while embracing the potential of AI.
