DuckDuckGo, the renowned private search engine, is making significant strides in the realm of generative AI. Over the past year, the company has been actively enhancing the role of AI assistance within its platform. This includes the recent launch of its chatbot-style interface, now simply known as Duck.ai, which provides users with an innovative search experience. This exciting transition was announced in a blog post on Thursday, marking the exit of Duck.ai from its beta phase.
With Duck.ai, users can engage with advanced AI models developed by industry leaders like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Meta. This interface allows users to interact with their search queries in a conversational manner, offering AI-generated answers rather than the traditional list of hyperlinks. DuckDuckGo is committed to providing a unique experience that merges privacy with cutting-edge technology.
Recently, DuckDuckGo has broadened the range of AI models available through Duck.ai. Notable additions include OpenAI's o3-mini, Meta's Llama 3.3, and Mistral's Small 3. While access to Duck.ai remains free, users should note that there is a daily limit on queries. DuckDuckGo is currently exploring a paid plan that would offer users higher limits and access to more advanced, costly chat models.
In addition to Duck.ai, DuckDuckGo is enhancing its traditional search engine interface at duck.com and duckduckgo.com by increasing the frequency of AI-assisted answers in search results. These generative AI text summaries can appear above the conventional blue links, providing users with quick, concise responses to their queries. The company reports that it serves millions of AI-assisted answers daily, with these responses appearing in over 20% of searches.
Despite deepening its integration of generative AI, DuckDuckGo is ensuring that users maintain control over the amount of AI-generated content presented in their search results. Users can choose the frequency of AI-generated answers, with settings ranging from “sometimes” (the default) to “often,” “on-demand,” and “never.” This flexibility empowers users to tailor their search experience according to their preferences.
As the demand for generative AI tools grows, DuckDuckGo emphasizes its core privacy commitment. The search engine offers users the opportunity to leverage powerful AI technologies without the need to create accounts with major AI providers. DuckDuckGo’s privacy policy highlights that conversations on Duck.ai are anonymized and not used for AI model training. This ensures that users can experience AI advancements while keeping their data secure.
To enhance user experience, DuckDuckGo has introduced a feature that allows users to switch effortlessly between the traditional search engine interface and the AI chat. A convenient chat button located below the search box enables users to transition to the AI chat interface with their previous search query pre-filled. This streamlined approach caters to different user preferences, allowing them to choose the mode that best suits their needs.
Initially, DuckDuckGo relied solely on Wikipedia for its AI-assisted answers. However, it has since diversified its sources to include a variety of information from across the web. Users will also find “prominent source links” that provide additional context for the AI-generated responses, enhancing the overall search experience.
Another noteworthy feature of Duck.ai is the “Recent Chats” function, which stores users’ conversations locally on their devices instead of on DuckDuckGo’s servers. This feature is optional; users can choose to disable storage if they prefer not to keep a record of their interactions. DuckDuckGo reassures users that their chats are not used for AI training, and any temporary storage by model providers is anonymized and deleted within 30 days.
DuckDuckGo’s latest advancements in generative AI, particularly through Duck.ai, signify a pivotal moment for the private search engine. With its focus on user privacy and seamless integration of AI technologies, DuckDuckGo is well-positioned to compete in the evolving landscape of digital search. As the company continues to innovate, users can enjoy a unique blend of cutting-edge AI capabilities and robust privacy protections.
