In an all-hands meeting last month, Google search chief Prabhakar Raghavan warned staff that the future of search is changing, and they need to prepare for a new chapter. “Things are not like they were 15, 20 years ago,” he said, according to CNBC. Raghavan also acknowledged the rise of competitors such as startup Perplexity AI, which recently raised $63 million in a new funding round and is valued at over $1 billion.
Raghavan emphasized that Google is still considered a trusted source for information but acknowledged that the company has been forced to adapt its search experience due to the introduction of generative AI. The company has announced a new version called Search Generative Experience (SGE), which is powered by AI. Google has started testing “AI overviews” for some users, providing AI-generated summaries of search results. Microsoft has also enhanced its search capabilities with new AI features on Bing, allowing users to search visually.
As Google and Microsoft compete to advance their search technologies, AI is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of search. Google is working on improving its search experience with AI-powered features while Microsoft is reinventing Bing with AI-infused capabilities. Both companies are investing heavily in AI to stay ahead in the competitive search engine market.
Google’s warning to staff reflects its recognition that the business landscape has changed significantly over the past decade or so. As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, companies must adapt quickly if they want to survive in today’s fast-moving world.
The rise of generative AI has brought about significant changes in how people access information online. With this technology becoming increasingly popular, companies like Google and Microsoft are investing heavily in developing new ways to deliver information to their users.
Despite these changes, however, Raghavan emphasized that Google remains committed to being a trusted source for information. He acknowledged that competition from startups like Perplexity AI will continue to pose challenges for the company but expressed confidence that it will remain at the forefront of innovation in this rapidly changing field.
Overall, it seems clear that we can expect even more exciting developments in the world of online searches in the coming months and years as companies continue to push boundaries and explore new possibilities for delivering information quickly and effectively.
