Google is making major revisions to its search engine design, which could push more users toward an AI-Chatbot-powered search experience.
Earlier this week, some visitors to the company’s Google.com search site noticed that the “I’m Lucky” button under the search box had been replaced with “AI Mode” by a button. After entering the text query, click the “AI Mode” box to take the user to an AI Chatbot interface similar to Chatgpt and Google’s own Gemini. Barron’s Google.com homepage was able to see and try to redesign this week.
Asked about the reviews on the launch of the new “AI Mode” on Google.com, a Google spokesperson said: “We often test different ways people access our useful features. This is just one of many experiments, limited to lab users.”
Some visitors to Google.com recently saw a new “AI Mode” button. Click “AI Mode” after entering a text query to take the user to an AI chatbot interface similar to Chatgpt and Google’s own Gemini.
Google often runs tests that may not launch a wider user base.
But the company seems to be taking this special test seriously. In a recent interview, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai suggested that the “AI model” could become an important search paradigm for Google.
In the All-A-Mobile Podcast released on Friday, Pichai said we are testing “a brand new dedicated AI experience for searches called ‘AI mode’.” “In ‘AI mode’, you can have a comprehensive AI experience in your search, including focusing on conversational queries.”
Google’s future of searching in an AI-focused world has been one of the biggest debates on Wall Street in recent weeks.
Alphabet stock fell 6.9% after Google testified in court through Apple Browsers through its first search in April as more people turned to AI Chatbots for search queries. This claim has heightened investor concerns that Google’s search dominance is finally facing disruption.
Stocks rebounded 9% this week, a wider rally for technology, and investors are looking forward to Google I/O next week’s annual developer meeting.
Pichai said in a podcast interview published Friday that the AI model will be a topic of the upcoming conversation.
Alphabet shares in trading at noon Friday rose 1.4%.
Write to Tae Kim tae.kim@barrons.com
