Google Introduces Generative AI to Core Search Engine in Response to Microsoft's GPT-4 Integration
In a bid to keep up with Microsoft's implementation of GPT-4 in Bing, Google has announced its plans to incorporate generative artificial intelligence (AI) into its core search engine. The new feature, called Search Generative Experience, aims to provide responses to open-ended queries. However, the system will initially be limited to a select group of users and is currently in an experimental phase.
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized the company's efforts to reimagine all core products, including search. The announcement was made during Google's annual developer conference, where they showcased their latest advancements in AI and unveiled new hardware offerings. Among them is a smartphone priced at $1,799 that features a book-like opening and closing mechanism.
In addition to AI developments, Google also revealed a proactive warning feature for unknown AirTags on its Android system. AirTags are small tracking devices used to locate personal items such as keys and wallets. The "unknown tracker alerts" will be launched this summer, following a collaboration between Apple and Google to address concerns about privacy and misuse.
At the conference, Google shared updates on "Bard," its experimental conversational chat service. The waitlist for Bard has been eliminated, and the chatbot will be rolled out in English across 180 countries and territories. Google aims to enhance Bard's capabilities by enabling it to respond to prompts with both text and images.
Google faces mounting pressure to strengthen its AI offerings, given the success of rival chatbot ChatGPT, supported by Microsoft. Earlier this year, Google faced embarrassment when an advertisement showcasing Bard's capabilities backfired due to an incorrect response. The incident resulted in a $100 billion drop in Alphabet's share value, underscoring the significance investors place on the AI ventures of tech giants.
Despite the competition, industry analysts like Chirag Dekate from Gartner believe that Google, as a leading player, is well-positioned to thrive in the ongoing AI race. The question remains whether Google can effectively leverage its AI tools to maintain its dominance in the field.