Last month, in an all-hands meeting, Google search chief Prabhakar Raghavan warned staff that they are facing a new chapter as “things have changed” and they are “not like they were 15, 20 years ago,” according to CNBC. Raghavan also stated that life will not be “hunky-dory” forever. His comments come at a time when search remains a crucial part of Alphabet’s business, with revenue from “search and other” totaling $48 billion in the final three months of last year.
Raghavan acknowledged the rise of competitors such as startup Perplexity AI, which recently raised about $63 million in a new funding round and is valued at more than $1 billion. Among Perplexity’s backers are Jeff Bezos and Nvidia. Raghavan mentioned new competitors in the meeting but emphasized that Google is still considered a trusted source for information.
The introduction of generative AI has forced Google to adapt its search experience. The company announced a new version called Search Generative Experience (SGE), which is powered by AI. Google has started testing “AI overviews” for some users, providing AI-generated summaries of search results. Microsoft has also enhanced its search capabilities with new AI features on Bing, allowing users to search visually.
As Google and Microsoft compete to advance their search technologies, AI is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of search. Both companies are investing heavily in AI to stay ahead in the competitive search engine market.
Google is working on improving its search experience with AI-powered features, while Microsoft is reinventing Bing with AI-infused capabilities. This competition is driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with artificial intelligence.
While Raghavan’s comments may have sounded daunting at first, it’s clear that both Google and Microsoft are determined to continue leading the way in the world of search technology. With continued investment in AI and innovation, these two companies will undoubtedly shape the future of online information retrieval for years to come.
In conclusion, as we move forward into this new chapter for Google’s search technology, it’s important for us as consumers to stay informed about how these changes may affect our online experiences. While there may be challenges ahead, we can trust that both Google and Microsoft will continue to prioritize innovation and provide us with the best possible tools for finding information online.