Google to roll out AI-generated responses

For the first time in 25 years, Google revealed a significant change to its search engine that included AI-generated responses to user searches in the US. The feature, called "AI overviews," was unveiled by CEO Sundar Pichai and would offer succinct explanations along with connections to relevant sources. Powered by Google's Gemini AI, the update will first launch in the US before going worldwide.

"I'm excited to announce that we will begin launching this fully revamped experience, 'AI overviews,' to everyone in the US this week," Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said at an event in California.

With the change, many of Google's search results will feature an AI "overview" at the top of the page before the more typical unfurling of links and features.

The search engine's AI answers, generated by Google's Gemini AI technology, offer a paragraph or two of explanation with links to the online sources that supplied the information.

"You can ask whatever's on your mind or whatever you need to get done - from researching to planning to brainstorming - and Google will take care of the legwork," said Google Search team boss Liz Reid.

The change seems to be an answer to growing pressure from AI-powered search engines like Perplexity and the repeated rumors that OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is building its own AI search tool.

Creators and small publishers are nervous about the change, fearing users will no longer click through to websites to find information.

Research firm Gartner predicts traffic to the web from search engines will fall 25 percent by 2026 because of the introduction of AI bots and such features.

Google pushed back at the suggestion that ChatGPT-style chatbots could impact its business.