MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – Google is shaking things up with its search engine. The company recently announced big changes that could change how we search online for years to come.
The familiar search box is getting a makeover. It still looks like the one-liner we know, but it now expands for longer questions. Users can even drag and drop videos or images for what Google calls “multimodal” search.
Behind the scenes, Google is blending artificial intelligence with traditional web search. Liz Reid, who leads Google Search, said this approach combines the best of both worlds. However, critics warn that adding AI could make it harder to trace where information comes from. A chatbot may summarize answers, offering fewer links than a traditional search.
This shift isn’t surprising. For the past year, Google has been testing “AI Overviews”—short summaries at the top of some search results. Reid noted that users are starting to ask questions in more natural, conversational ways, rather than just using keywords. This could help Google better understand user intent.
But it also raises concerns about user choice. Caroline Milanesi, a tech analyst, argues that while these changes aim to personalize search, they might limit what users can click on. Users could find AI suggesting products or services without knowing how those results were determined.
As these changes unfold, Google is also introducing features that allow users to set ongoing tasks, like tracking ticket prices for events. But as Milanesi highlights, this also means the experience may become less transparent.
Sarah T. Roberts, a director at UCLA, points out that the algorithms behind Google’s searches are already complex. Adding AI could make them even more opaque. She recalls instances where Google’s AI provided misleading suggestions, urging caution as the technology evolves.
Recent statistics show that many users prefer a mix of AI and traditional search results, with surveys indicating that 60% of users find AI-generated content helpful. However, there’s still a concern around “Google Zero,” a scenario where more users interact with AI rather than traditional web searches, potentially harming the click-driven internet economy. Many businesses rely on this traffic for survival.
While these updates will affect all users, there are various methods to limit AI features if desired. As Google evolves, the world will watch closely to see how these changes affect our daily searches and the broader internet landscape.
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