Google, Microsoft Expand AI-Driven Search Capabilities
The realms of search and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly intertwined, with AI models playing a larger role in search technology. Traditional search methods are being augmented by AI, both on the internet and in enterprise systems. Major players like Microsoft and Google are developing new AI functionalities. Microsoft is leveraging OpenAI’s technologies, and Google is defending its standing in search by developing sophisticated AI features.
Google AI Overviews and AI Mode
Last week, Google announced enhancements to its search capabilities. These include expanding AI Overviews and introducing AI Mode. AI Overviews utilize generative AI to provide summaries at the top of search results. AI Mode is a new experimental feature in Google Search designed to create an all-AI experience, replacing standard web results with AI-generated responses. This new mode builds upon AI Overviews and marks Google’s effort to create a more interactive, AI-driven search interface. These developments were introduced with Google’s Gemini 2.0 update.
AI Mode (source: Google)
“As we’ve rolled out AI Overviews, we’ve heard from power users that they want AI responses for even more of their searches,” said Google. “So today, we’re introducing an early experiment in Labs: AI Mode. This new Search mode expands what AI Overviews can do with more advanced reasoning, thinking and multimodal capabilities so you can get help with even your toughest questions. You can ask anything on your mind and get a helpful AI-powered response with the ability to go further with follow-up questions and helpful web links.”
Key points from the announcement include:
- Enhanced AI Overviews: Addressing more complex queries with expanded AI-generated summaries, utilizing the Gemini 2.0 AI model to improve reasoning and offer detailed responses.
- Introduction of AI Mode: Providing an AI-focused search experience that delivers comprehensive, conversational responses, allowing for deeper topic exploration.
- Gradual Rollout: Initially available to Google One AI Premium subscribers in the U.S., with broader access expected based on user feedback and ongoing testing.
Google stated, “The new AI Mode experiment in Search uses advanced reasoning, thinking and multimodal capabilities from Gemini 2.0 to help with even your toughest questions. You can ask whatever’s on your mind and get an AI-powered response with the ability to explore further with follow-up questions and helpful web links. AI Mode does the heavy lifting for you, intelligently organizing information and gives you easy-to-digest breakdowns.”
Microsoft’s AI Search Initiatives
Microsoft has also been actively developing AI-driven search capabilities, often concentrating on developer tools and AI search functions integrated into existing software. For instance, Microsoft is continually updating its Azure AI Search initiative, previously known as Azure Cognitive Search.
Microsoft describes Azure AI Search as a key retrieval system for creating RAG-based applications on Azure. This system features native LLM integrations between Azure OpenAI Service and Azure Machine Learning, supports integrations for non-native models, and offers multiple strategies for relevance tuning.
