Google is not done with the AI competition just yet. Reports say that the tech giant, along with adding new AI features to its existing engine, is also developing a new one. It will be in response to OpenAI and Microsoft's latest features.
Google Expanding Its AI Services
The company is adding new features to its existing search engine with the project being called "Magi." Reports say that the search engine will be more intuitive when it comes to the users' needs, providing a more personalized search experience.
As for the new search engine, Google has no definite timetable for the project, but it may be a while before we see a fully-developed outcome especially since they are also working on new AI features that are set to be announced next month, according to Engadget.
With that release estimate, the search engine giant may unveil it at the I/O 2023. Google will first release Magi's new features to a million users in the US. It will then expand to around 30 million users before the year ends.
A Google spokesperson said that they have been bringing AI to Google Search for years to improve the quality of results, as well as introduce new ways to search such as Lens and multi-search. They added that the company will be sharing more details soon.
Google could possibly be scrambling for innovative ideas after the news hit about smartphone giant Samsung switching to Microsoft's Bing for its default search engine. If that does come through, Google will lose an estimated $3 billion in revenue annually.
The competition has been tense since Microsoft was rumored to be releasing an AI-powered Bing, and Google immediately responded with Bard. The new Bing has become a threat to Google after 25 years of being on top.
What Can You Expect?
Google continues to research AI in its DeepMind lab in London, which has contributed to technology such as self-driving cars and "large language models" used to develop chatbots that have caught the eyes of big tech companies.
While it was quick to release Bard to even the playing field with Bing's ChaGPT integration, the AI-powered chatbot was not very well received. Starting fresh, the new AI-powered search engine is capable of learning what users want to know based on their search history.
According to The New York Times, the experience would be more conversational, just as you would with a chatbot. It will offer "preselected options" for items you would buy, as well as information to research more on a subject.
Before that is released, people will soon get a glimpse of Google's other project, Magi. Internal documents state that the new features are already being worked on by 160 people, full-time. One of the things that Google won't change will be the presence of ads.
Magi's features have already been tested by Google employees, wherein they would ask follow-up questions to see if the search engine is capable of holding a conversation. Upon release of the initially added features, Google plans to add more in the fall.
