By Joseph Ekeng

In a bid to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape and fend off potential threats to its online dominance, Google has announced the integration of AI chat features into its core search engine. This move represents a significant transformation for Google Search, as the company aims to provide users with faster and more personalized information.

The new Google Search update leverages an AI-powered chatbot to deliver responses to queries that go beyond traditional search results. When users enter a search query, they will now see a pop-up with an AI-generated answer alongside the usual search results, revolutionizing the look and feel of the platform.

Interested users can sign up for a waitlist to gain early access to the new Google Search via the Google app or Chrome’s desktop browser. While the initial launch will be limited to the United States, the company plans to gradually expand availability in the coming weeks.

These updates were unveiled at Google’s annual developer event, I/O, where the company showcased a range of AI and hardware products. Notably, Google also introduced PaLM 2, its latest AI language model designed to rival OpenAI’s GPT-4, the creator of ChatGPT. PaLM 2 boasts advancements in logic, common sense reasoning, mathematics, and can even generate specialized code in various programming languages.

Google’s proactive measures come as competitors like Microsoft are also racing to integrate AI features into their search engines and productivity tools following the viral success of ChatGPT. The overwhelming attention received by ChatGPT reportedly prompted Google’s management to declare a “code red” situation for its search business.

In addition to revamping search, Google is expanding access to its existing chatbot, Bard, which previously operated separately from the search engine. Bard can assist users with tasks such as outlining and writing essay drafts, planning events like baby showers, and suggesting recipes based on available ingredients. The tool, previously accessible only to early users in the US via a waitlist, will soon be available to users worldwide in 120 countries and 40 languages.

Furthermore, Google is launching extensions for Bard from its own services, such as Gmail, Sheets, and Docs. This integration enables users to engage with the chatbot within the applications they are already using, allowing for seamless collaboration and information retrieval.

While the incorporation of AI chatbots into Google’s ecosystem brings exciting possibilities, it also raises concerns regarding tone and accuracy. The latter is particularly critical for the search engine giant, as search has long been the cornerstone of Google’s business. Addressing these risks will be crucial as Google continues to innovate and adapt in the face of evolving user expectations and the AI landscape.