According to the British Financial Times (FT) on the 3rd (local time), Google is looking at options that include AI-based search function in its paid subscription service ‘Google One’. Three officials said through FT that Google is currently developing an AI search function, and whether or not the service will be released is undecided.
Since May last year, Google has been offering “SGE (Search Generative Experience),” a search function based on Generative AI. However, SGE is limited to some of its paid subscribers as it puts a strain on server resources while running Generative AI.
Google also released the Generative AI “Gemini” as a service included in Google One in February, which is currently applied to chatbots, e-mail services “Gmail,” and office services “Docs.”
If the Generative AI base is released for a fee, it will be the first time for Google to pay for its core function, search. However, some analysts say that if the search function gives a complete answer without advertising anymore, Google’s advertising business will face difficulties.
Meanwhile, Google told the FT, “We will continue to build new premium features and services to improve subscription services,” but added, “We have nothing to announce at this time.”
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
