Google Search Launches AI-Generated Responses

Google recently rolled out its generative AI-powered Search experience (SGE) about three months ago, and today, a new update is set to revolutionise the way we interact with information on the web.

This advanced feature aims to make browsing more insightful, whether it’s to clarify complicated concepts, hone coding skills, or sift through the intricacies of a detailed topic.
 

A New Layer to Search

 
One of the key features of this update is to simplify intricate online details. If you’ve ever been puzzled by a term or concept online, Google’s got your back.

With the new improvements, users can simply hover over certain words, and voilà – a quick preview of definitions paired with related imagery is displayed.
 

Boosting the Code Curious

 
If you’re someone who loves to code or wants to learn, Google’s latest tweak is a treat. Google’s SGE now includes a feature that lets both budding and seasoned programmers grasp generated code more easily.

This is achieved by incorporating colour-coded syntax within its AI summaries, allowing a quicker understanding of elements such as comments, strings, and keywords.
 

Dive into “SGE While Browsing”

 
“SGE while browsing” might just become your favourite feature from this update. If you use Google on Android, iOS, or soon on a desktop, this feature offers AI-crafted summaries of the main points from long articles.

So, if you want to understand an article’s essence without reading it all, use this feature.

And if you’re worried about articles behind a paywall, Google has made sure not to disturb them. Only freely accessible content will feature these summaries.
 

A Word From Iris.ai’s CEO

 
Anita Schjøll Abildgaaard, CEO and Co-Founder of Iris.ai, commented on Google’s release:

“Google’s announcement of including generative AI in search experiences reflects the increasing integration of AI technologies in our routine.”

“This initiative of enhancing online exploration, especially with the easy accessibility of AI-made definitions, details, and summaries, simplifies the process for users to understand complicated subjects online.”

She pointed out the need for transparency, adding, “For any AI system, especially when summarising content, it’s essential that there’s a direct link to the original sources. This ensures that users can double-check facts and that original content creators are acknowledged.”

She finished with a note on the immense potential of generative AI, stressing on its role in spreading and democratising access to information.

She also, however, added a word of caution on the importance of responsible use that provides users with the necessary context.
 

Where to From Here?

 
This isn’t the end of the road. Google has worked on these improvements since they first launched the SGE.

From incorporating more images and videos in summaries, refining link displays, and more, they’ve shown a commitment to refining this tool.

Google is collecting feedback and conducting experiments, and as users, our online browsing experience is on track to get a lot more streamlined.

For those eager to jump into this experience, if you’ve already chosen the SGE feature, you’ll find this experiment ready for you.

If not, “SGE while browsing” is also up for grabs as an individual experiment in Search Labs. To give it a go on desktop, ensure you’re using the newest Chrome version and then head to Labs.