The key takeaway from Google I/O 2023 is the fact that the internet search giant is rolling out a bunch of new AI-powered search functions – obviously, aiming to keep up with Microsoft.
Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc, has just introduced more artificial intelligence (AI) functions adapted for its primary search engine. Similar move from its main competitor Microsoft Corp with its Bing search engine attracted a lot of positive emotions from the user base, so this major upgrade was inevitable in order to maintain unimpacted market share.
The company unveiled a new iteration of its search engine, dubbed the Search Generative Experience, at Wednesday’s annual I/O conference in Mountain View, California.
This upgraded version of Google has the ability to generate responses to open-ended queries, while still displaying its well-known list of web links, which is also known under the traditional name of “10 blue links”.
During the event, Alphabet’s CEO Sundar Pichai announced that they are remaking their core products to use generative AI functions. This includes search, which will not have tools where users can interact with AI, Gmail, which can create draft messages according to user specifications, and Google Photos, which can edit images using some new advanced capabilities.
As a result, Alphabet’s shares were trading 4% higher on Wednesday, and have increased by 26% to this date.
When can we expect to see the newly upgraded Google Search?
U.S. consumers will soon have access to the Search Generative Experience, but via a wait list for the time being.
During this initial roll-out phase, Google will closely monitor the results, assessing the quality of the system’s responses, overall speed, and operational costs.
Google’s response to competition
Google has been exploring generative AI for some time now. In a certain sense, it was forced to rush these developments into the market, after the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This project sparked a new chapter of competition among potential rivals. Naturally, the market experts were anticipating this major search engine revamp.
Generative AI differs a lot from the ways we have been processing information utill now. It has the ability to create entirely new content, including text, images, and even software code, using user-provided queries.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT is now integrated into Bing search. This platform remains the standard for commercial generative AI. Meanwhile, Google’s aim is to maintain its $286 billion-worth online advertising market segment.
Written by Alius Noreika
