In a significant move, Google has unveiled a new feature called AI Mode, which is currently being tested directly beneath the Google search bar. This innovative feature is positioned next to the traditional Google Search button, effectively replacing the long-standing I'm Feeling Lucky widget. Although this feature is not yet widely accessible, it represents a notable shift in Google's user interface, particularly in an area where changes are relatively rare.
A spokesperson for Google confirmed that the rollout of AI Mode began over the past week for select users. This initiative is part of Google Labs, the company’s experimental unit dedicated to testing new features with users who opt into these trials. It is important to note that not all features tested through Labs are guaranteed to launch widely.
The introduction of AI Mode reflects Google’s ongoing efforts to harness its most valuable digital real estate to showcase its AI technology. This strategic move comes as the company faces increasing pressure to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving field of generative AI-driven search. Since the debut of ChatGPT in November 2022, concerns have arisen among Alphabet investors regarding the potential for OpenAI to capture significant market share from Google.
In October, OpenAI took a step further by launching ChatGPT search, positioning itself to better compete with established search engines like Google, Microsoft's Bing, and Perplexity. Microsoft has invested approximately $14 billion in OpenAI, even as OpenAI's products contest with Microsoft's own AI and search offerings, including Copilot and Bing. Despite Google's flagship AI product Gemini demonstrating comparable or superior performance to its competitors, the company is striving to expand its user base to effectively compete with ChatGPT.
According to a recent analysis conducted by Google and revealed during an antitrust court session in April, the Gemini AI product boasts around 35 million daily active users. In contrast, ChatGPT has an estimated 160 million daily active users, highlighting the competitive landscape in which Google operates.
In 2023, Google began testing various designs for its homepage, as reported by CNBC. One design concept featured five different prompts for potential questions displayed beneath the main search bar, replacing the current I'm Feeling Lucky feature. Additionally, Google experimented with a small chat logo positioned at the far right end of the search bar.
In March, Google announced its plans to test AI Mode for selected users, initially indicating that this feature would be evaluated on Google's results page rather than its homepage. The company described this as an early experiment through Labs, aimed at enhancing advanced reasoning, thinking, and multimodal capabilities to assist users with complex queries.
In a bid to further its commitment to artificial intelligence, Google recently launched the AI Futures Fund, designed to invest in emerging AI startups. This fund will provide eligible startups with early access to Google’s AI models, fostering innovation and collaboration in the AI space.
