Google weighs AI-powered search subscription

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Google contemplates a potential shakeup to its core business model. According to a Financial Times report, Google is exploring ways to offer premium AI-powered search features within its flagship search engine for a fee. These features, sources suggest, could be integrated into existing subscription services like Gemini Advanced or Google One.

Crucially, the report highlights that even the premium tier would retain advertising. This suggests Google's balancing act: implementing cutting-edge AI while safeguarding its lucrative search ad revenue, which amounted to a staggering US$175 billion last year. The pressure to innovate is likely amplified by the rise of OpenAI's ChatGPT, pushing Google into a competitive race for AI dominance in search.

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Google tests AI-powered search reults with some US users who didn't opt-in

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Some US users might see a new section at the top of their search results. This shaded area summarizes the answer to your question, along with links for further details. This is powered by Google's generative AI technology, similar to its AI assistant, Bard (formerly Gemini).

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