If you're still asking Jeeves, you may not have noticed, but those on the more cutting edge of AI and web searches have wondered when Google will choose to refresh. And apparently the time is now.
For the first time in 25 years, Google is updating its search function. The update, CNN reports, is meant to make it heavy on AI, and easier for intuitive searching.
"It represents what may be its biggest shift yet toward AI and away from traditional search," the media outlet added.
Why make the change now? As Google itself said, presumably with the help of AI, "The goal of search has always been simple: to help you ask anything on your mind — from quick facts to the deep, complex or hyper-specific questions that can be hard to articulate.
"To make this possible, we’ve continued to reimagine what Search can do with AI. The momentum has been incredible: Just one year after its debut, AI Mode has surpassed one billion monthly users, with queries more than doubling every quarter since launch. As people have realized just how much more Search can do for them, they’re searching more than ever before — so much so that last quarter, we saw queries reach an all-time high."
One of the first things users may notice in the new Google starting today is the front end search box is much larger. The extra size is to accommodate long, conversational queries that mimic the ones users of Chat GPT will be more used to. Looking for a Thai restaurant near where you bought that chair last week but can't remember the name of? Search will help.
The goal is for the search box to "anticipate your intent," Google said. And the new version won't only accept written prompts. You can also formulate your question "across modalities, using text, images, files, videos or Chrome tabs as inputs."
Among the updates, Google users will also be able to create “agents” that do the work for you, like tracking price changes on items you like to buy, celebrities or sports teams you want to follow, update changes at places you like to visit and events you tend to attend.
It'll also allow users to become tech wizards on their own and export "mini apps" if you ask it to build one for you, for instance as a personal fitness tracker.
Does this all sound good? Keep this in mind. The goal is for the software to become as smart as a human.
"Google hopes the updates will bring it closer to its big-picture goal of developing artificial general intelligence: a theoretical stage of AI in which the technology becomes as intelligent as a human at broad range of subjects. OpenAI, Meta and others are racing to be the first to get there," CNN reported.
To that end, the search function will be able to make calls on your behalf at some point starting this summer.
"Just share your specific criteria — like finding a private karaoke room for six on a Friday night that serves food late — and Search brings together the latest pricing and availability with direct links to finish booking through the provider of your choice," Google said about its new current state.
"And for select categories like home repair, beauty or pet care, you can ask Google to call businesses on your behalf. These capabilities will roll out to everyone in the U.S. this summer."
