Google Trials AI-Generated Search Answers in UK: Balancing Convenience and Publisher Concerns
Google is testing artificial intelligence (AI) generated search answers, called "Search Generative Experience," in the UK.
This feature was previously tested in the US last year and will initially be available to a small proportion of logged-in UK users.
The AI-generated overview appears at the top of some search results.
Microsoft's Bing already integrates its Copilot AI.
Publishers are concerned that longer AI responses may reduce visits to their sites, as users' curiosity might be satisfied without the need to visit the websites.
Additionally, AI answers contain fewer links and ads.
The feature has been available in the US for nearly a year but only to users who signed up via Google Labs.
Google is testing a new AI-powered search feature with a small group of logged-in UK users.
Contrary to rumors, the company is not planning to offer an ad-free search experience or subscriptions for premium AI features.
Hema Budaraju, who leads Google's generative AI efforts in search, assured the BBC that the new search results will still display links and ads.
She emphasized the importance of sending traffic to creators and claimed that AI-powered search results are showing more links to a wider range of sources.
Users have been clicking on an increased range of sources since the test began.
Google is experimenting with AI-generated summaries for search queries, but only in specific cases where they have proven helpful.
One example given is "how to get marks off painted walls." However, there is a risk that AI-generated content could be harmful, offensive, biased, or factually incorrect.
Google is prioritizing "information quality" and being careful to implement this feature responsibly.
As a result, not all queries will receive AI-generated answers, particularly if there isn't enough high-quality information available.
Google is experimenting with using AI to generate search answers instead of displaying links.
Users can provide feedback on any issues they encounter, and Google is committed to addressing any biases or safety concerns.
The trial has received positive responses from US users, but potential challenges include the large amounts of electricity required to power the AI systems, which comes at an environmental cost.
The AI-generated overview appears at the top of some search results.
Microsoft's Bing already integrates its Copilot AI.
Publishers are concerned that longer AI responses may reduce visits to their sites, as users' curiosity might be satisfied without the need to visit the websites.
Additionally, AI answers contain fewer links and ads.
The feature has been available in the US for nearly a year but only to users who signed up via Google Labs.
Google is testing a new AI-powered search feature with a small group of logged-in UK users.
Contrary to rumors, the company is not planning to offer an ad-free search experience or subscriptions for premium AI features.
Hema Budaraju, who leads Google's generative AI efforts in search, assured the BBC that the new search results will still display links and ads.
She emphasized the importance of sending traffic to creators and claimed that AI-powered search results are showing more links to a wider range of sources.
Users have been clicking on an increased range of sources since the test began.
Google is experimenting with AI-generated summaries for search queries, but only in specific cases where they have proven helpful.
One example given is "how to get marks off painted walls." However, there is a risk that AI-generated content could be harmful, offensive, biased, or factually incorrect.
Google is prioritizing "information quality" and being careful to implement this feature responsibly.
As a result, not all queries will receive AI-generated answers, particularly if there isn't enough high-quality information available.
Google is experimenting with using AI to generate search answers instead of displaying links.
Users can provide feedback on any issues they encounter, and Google is committed to addressing any biases or safety concerns.
The trial has received positive responses from US users, but potential challenges include the large amounts of electricity required to power the AI systems, which comes at an environmental cost.
