Google, Microsoft Expand AI-Driven Search Capabilities -- Campus ...
The realms of search and AI are becoming increasingly intertwined, with AI models being used more and more for search — sometimes specifically — and with traditional search constructs being augmented by AI both on the internet and in enterprise systems. For example, Microsoft has used its partnership with OpenAI to leverage advanced AI in coding, search and just about everywhere else, while Google has been just as adamant in defending its search hegemony with advanced AI.
Recent announcements from both companies highlight a slough of AI capabilities for their search tools. Google last week announced it was "Expanding AI Overviews and Introducing AI Mode." AI Overviews are a major generative AI-driven enhancement to Google Search, providing AI-generated summaries at the top of search results.
AI Mode
AI Mode, meanwhile, is a new experimental feature in Google Search that provides an all-AI experience, replacing traditional web results with AI-generated responses. It builds upon AI Overviews (formerly known as the Search Generative Experience, or SGE) and represents Google's push toward a more conversational and AI-driven search interface.
These features were framed in the context of Google's Gemini 2.0 update. "As we've rolled out AI Overviews, we've heard from power users that they want AI responses for even more of their searches," Google said. "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.
Microsoft's AI Search Moves
Microsoft has also been making AI search moves of its own, often focusing on developer tooling for AI-assisted search constructs or AI search within existing software. For example, it has been providing a steady stream of updates to its Azure AI Search initiative, formerly called Azure Cognitive Search.
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