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| Google introduces generative AI to its search engine for open-ended queries, and a new Android feature warns users about unknown AirTags. |
Google's Latest AI Updates
Google has some exciting news for its users! The tech giant has announced that it is introducing generative artificial intelligence (AI) to its search engine. This move comes after Microsoft added GPT-4 to its Bing search engine earlier this year.
What is Generative AI?
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can create new content, such as text, images, and videos. With this new feature, Google's search engine will be able to craft responses to open-ended queries. However, this system is still in the experimental phase and will only be available to a limited number of users.
Google's Android System Update
Google has also announced a new feature on its Android system that will proactively warn users about unknown AirTags. AirTags are tiny devices developed to track personal items like keys and wallets. The technology giant said the unknown tracker alerts would go live this summer. This announcement came after Apple and Google said last week that they were working together to address the problem. Last year, two women sued Apple over Air Tag stalking. Women who have been tracked using the devices told the BBC last year that not enough was being done to prevent misuse.
Other Google Updates
Google made these announcements at its annual developer conference, where leaders of the company touted their latest advancements in artificial intelligence and new hardware offerings, including a $1,799 (£1,425) phone that opens and closes like a book. The company also said it was removing the waitlist for Bard, its experimental, conversational, chat service, which will be rolled out in English in 180 countries and territories. It also said the chatbot would soon be able to respond to prompts with images as well as text.
Why is Google Focusing on AI?
Google has been under pressure to improve its artificial intelligence offerings, especially after the success of rival chatbot ChatGPT, which is funded by Microsoft. A previous attempt to show off its credentials in the field, in February, ended in embarrassment, after it emerged that Bard had answered a question incorrectly. The incident wiped $100bn (£82bn) off parent company Alphabet's share value - an indication of how keenly investors are watching how the tech giant's AI ventures play out. Microsoft is deploying ChatGPT technology into its search engine Bing, after investing heavily in the company that developed it, OpenAI. Chinese tech giant Baidu also has a chatbot, called Ernie.
What Does This Mean for Google?
Chirag Dekate, an analyst at Gartner, said Google remained an industry leader and was well poised to benefit from the interest in AI. Google has the tools to dominate the AI battles, the perennial question is - will they? He said.
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