Google Enhances Search Engine With AI; Users Can Now Ask About Images And Videos Using Their Voice

Google is stepping up its game by integrating advanced artificial intelligence into its search engine, allowing users to ask questions about images and even arrange entire pages of results. This upgrade builds on the AI-driven changes introduced earlier this year, which featured “AI Overviews”, brief summaries generated by AI for specific search queries. While these updates aim to enhance the user experience, they’ve raised alarms among publishers worried about declining traffic to their websites, which is crucial for their advertising revenue.

3 ways you can get the most out of visual search when shopping — plus a handy new update that can help you find the right product in a snap(shot) ↓ https://t.co/60H8NVj1rm— Google (@Google) October 3, 2024

In response to these concerns, Google is adding more links to the AI Overviews. This change comes after a study by BrightEdge revealed that these AI summaries have led to a drop in visits for prominent news outlets like The New York Times, while simultaneously increasing traffic to specialized sites like Bloomberg and the National Institutes of Health. This situation illustrates the complex landscape publishers now navigate as digital trends shift.

The latest enhancements are also an evolution of Google’s Lens feature, which lets users ask questions about objects in pictures. This tool is already hugely popular, generating over 20 billion queries each month, especially among users aged 18 to 24, a demographic Google is keen to engage as competition heats up with AI alternatives like ChatGPT. With the new voice-activated capabilities, users can now ask conversational questions about what they see, making the search experience more interactive and dynamic.

Rajan Patel, Google’s vice president of search engineering, emphasizes that the goal is to make search simpler and more intuitive. Imagine being able to film a lively scene, like fish swimming in an aquarium, and then asking your phone a question about it, receiving immediate, AI-generated answers. This represents Google’s vision of a more conversational and user-friendly search experience.

However, integrating AI isn’t without its pitfalls. Past mistakes, like giving bizarre cooking advice, underscore the risks of misinformation. These blunders, often due to data gaps or deliberate misinformation, can threaten the credibility of Google’s search results. Nevertheless, Google is hopeful that it can navigate these challenges. The plan is to use AI to curate the information displayed for specific searches, particularly in areas like recipes and meal ideas. The aim is to present results in organized clusters of photos, videos, and articles to enhance user satisfaction.

Over the years, we’ve expanded Search so you can ask a question in many ways — from typing a query to humming a tune.

Today, we’re introducing even more new AI-powered ways to search what you see and hear. Learn more ↓ https://t.co/MHZCqo1ujX— Google (@Google) October 3, 2024

Google’s bold push into AI marks a significant shift for its search engine, promising greater convenience and interactivity. However, with this innovation comes a heightened responsibility to ensure the accuracy of information. The success of these advancements will hinge on Google’s ability to balance cutting-edge technology with the trustworthiness users expect.

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