Subj : Google Search could soon charge you for AI-powered results and s To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Thu Apr 04 2024 13:15:05 Google Search could soon charge you for AI-powered results and search engines might never be the same Date: Thu, 04 Apr 2024 11:59:37 +0000 Description: This is all about balancing the benefits of AI against the revenue stream from adverts for Google. FULL STORY ====================================================================== If you want smarter searching with Google, then you might have to pay for it or at least if you want AI-assisted search queries, anyway (which youd hope would prove smarter). This is according to a report from the Financial Times , which contends that Google is mulling over the idea of a premium search that leverages generative AI . Demanding payment for search queries would be a major step for Google to take, of course, and indeed the FT describes the concept as the biggest potential shake-up of Googles search business ever witnessed. How might this work in practice, though? According to the FT, three sources who have inside knowledge of Googles plans say its looking at options that include adding certain AI-powered search features to the firms premium subscription services, products that already offer access to the Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs. The latter mention seems to refer to the Gemini Advanced AI in Workspace, but that advanced chatbot is also available for Google One subscribers (on the AI Premium plan ). So, that could indicate that AI-assisted search might be part of the Google One service, and also Workspace, but all this is very much up in the air at the moment. The report doesnt give us any further concrete details on Googles plans at this stage, and the only comments drawn from Google by the FT just underline its existing AI offerings, and the companys current generative AI experiments in the search engine. That AI-boosted Search Generative Experience (or SGE) was made available to Google users on a limited basis for those who signed up and wanted to try it almost a year ago. More recently, it has been rolling out to the public and more users , though its still only being tested with a very small niche audience. Regarding possible new developments for search and AI, Google stuck to the predictable boilerplate statement: We dont have anything to announce right now. It should be underlined that the report makes it clear that normal Google search will remain as it is now, a free service with no charge (and supported by ads which wouldnt be removed even for subscribers to any AI search service, were told). (Image credit: Shutterstock/Africa Studio) Analysis: Searching for the right balance between AI and ads The reason Google is being tentative with AI is that it presents a tricky conundrum for the search giant. The problem is that AI chatbots can take all the heavy lifting out of searching why manually trawl through a page (or pages) of search results, when you can ask an AI, and itll do all the hunting and filtering for you, presenting a curated answer? What Google must be careful of is that, while theres a need to use AI and not fall behind with the benefits of this tech the company needs to ensure users are still engaged with perusing search results, and crucially, the ads and sponsored messages between them, which generate a massive amount of revenue for Google. Indeed, search and ads raked in $175 billion in revenue for Google last year. So, whatever Google does with AI in search cant mess with that revenue stream too much, for obvious reasons. And the danger is that AI-powered summaries or snapshots could mean fewer clicks on adverts. Furthermore, on top of that, the cost of running the search engine is increased for Google it has to pay for powering the AI and the necessary processing therein. Thats kind of a lose-lose situation for Google, then, but one way to limit the damage would be to go the subscription route meaning a more limited use of AI search that requires fewer processing centers, and itd be something that users are paying for, as part of a package, to boot. The net effect on the coffers would be better balanced in this scenario. Presumably thats the theory, anyway but ultimately, this is just hearsay, albeit from a relatively reliable source. And even if Google is looking at going this route, with engineers apparently actively developing the tech required for the service right now, the ultimate decision that the firms execs make might be to explore other options. If paying for AI-powered search does become a reality or rather, an option for Google users, the likelihood is that itll be tied into a Google One subscription. And normal Google search will remain the same as mentioned free and ad-supported, and without AI (or maybe with limited AI functionality a small amount of daily queries with supplementary AI snapshots, perhaps). YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... Bye-bye, Bard Google Gemini AI takes on Microsoft Copilot with new Android app Cramming AI into search results proves Google has forgotten what made it good Google search might be getting worse - and AI threatens to ruin it entirely ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/search-engines/google-search-could-soon-ch arge-you-for-ai-powered-results-and-search-engines-might-never-be-the-same --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .