Google has announced what it calls a “total reimagining” of its search engine, led by advancements in artificial intelligence. The overhaul, revealed at the company’s annual I/O event, introduces a new AI-powered mode that allows users to input more detailed and complex queries, alongside follow-up questions to deepen their search. This comes as part of a broader push to integrate AI into all aspects of Google’s offerings, despite mounting criticism over the accuracy and reliability of generative AI tools.
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Chief executive Sundar Pichai described the revamped Search as using “advanced reasoning” to offer more thoughtful responses, noting that early users are crafting searches several times longer than traditional ones. The upgrade builds on Google’s AI Overviews, which already generate summary responses to queries. Pichai said the new system has increased user engagement and brought renewed energy to web browsing. However, he acknowledged ongoing concerns surrounding AI’s role, including misinformation, data privacy, and potential job displacement.
In addition to the search revamp, Google introduced several other AI-powered tools. These include live real-time translation in Google Meet calls, AI-generated email responses that mimic users’ writing styles, and Project Mariner – an AI agent capable of carrying out tasks like online shopping on behalf of users. A standout among the announcements was Google Beam, a new video conferencing device designed to replicate in-person interactions using AI and six cameras to create a 3D experience.
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These developments arrive amid industry scepticism about the long-term implications of AI. There is unease in creative sectors regarding AI-generated content and growing competition in the search space from chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Despite this, Google remains focused on building tools that it claims are private, customisable, and beneficial, aiming to maintain its dominance while addressing concerns through transparency and user control.
