Google enhances search engine with new AI features

Google is advancing its search engine by adding more artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, enabling users to ask questions about images and videos through voice commands. These latest updates are part of an ongoing AI-driven revamp of Google’s search platform, which began in May 2023. The new features expand Google’s AI “overviews,” which summarise search results at the top of the page.

These overviews have sparked concerns among publishers who fear that reduced traffic to their sites may affect ad revenue. In response, Google is increasing the number of links to other websites within these AI summaries. While general news sites have experienced a drop in traffic, specialised sites like Bloomberg.com and the National Institute of Health have seen a boost, according to BrightEdge, a search traffic analysis firm.

Building on its Lens tool — which allows users to ask questions about objects in photos — Google is now introducing voice-activated search for images and videos. Users can speak queries about what they see through their phone’s camera or on-screen video. For instance, someone could record fish swimming in an aquarium and ask questions about the species, with the AI delivering an answer through an AI Overview.

These updates aim to make searching more intuitive, especially for younger users. As AI continues to reshape Google’s search engine, the company remains committed to refining its technology to avoid misinformation while improving user engagement.