Google I/O 2023 featured the announcement of a significant update to Google Search, incorporating generative AI to provide users with more information and context for their search queries. Elizabeth Reid, Vice President & General Manager of Search, unveiled this revolutionary update, highlighting the company’s dedication to improving search capabilities using AI technology.
As a result of these advancements in generative AI, Google Search will be able to answer an entirely new range of questions and help users make sense of the vast amount of information available on the web. The generative AI capabilities will be first introduced in Search Labs, a new platform where users can access and test early experiments in Search.
The generative AI technology in Google Search aims to improve user experience by allowing them to understand topics more quickly, uncover new insights, and complete tasks more efficiently. The AI-powered search provides snapshots of key information and enables users to ask follow-up questions in a conversational mode.
In addition to enhancing general search capabilities, generative AI will also improve shopping experiences on Google Search. By utilizing the Shopping Graph, which contains over 35 billion product listings, users will receive relevant, up-to-date product descriptions, reviews, ratings, prices, and images.
Google is committed to featuring a wide range of voices and sources to provide users with diverse perspectives and insights. Ads will continue to be a vital component of the search experience, with transparency and distinguishability from organic search results being prioritized.
To ensure a responsible approach to implementing generative AI capabilities in Search, Google has applied additional guardrails and limitations to maintain quality and improve the system over time. Users can also evaluate the information provided by expanding their view and clicking on sources for deeper exploration.
Search Labs will begin with an experiment called SGE (Search Generative Experience), available on Chrome desktop and the Google App for Android and iOS in the U.S. (English-only at launch). Signups for Search Labs open today, with access to SGE starting in the coming weeks.
