Google Supercharges Search with New Generative AI Features
Google Supercharges Search with New Generative AI Features
Google is taking search to the next level by infusing its traditional search engine with the power of generative AI. The company recently announced several new capabilities powered by AI that aim to help you better understand and utilize the information you find through search. These features are part of Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) which utilizes large language models to generate summaries, sources, follow-up questions and more based on your search query.
The first new capability provides AI-generated definitions for terms and concepts that appear in search summaries. For instance, if you search for information on economics, hover over words like “macroeconomics” or “fiscal policy” and you’ll see a concise, understandable definition. This allows you to quickly grasp unfamiliar terms without having to open a separate tab or interrupt your search flow. Especially for complex or technical topics, having key terms defined can aid comprehension.
Taking it a step further is SGE’s new “while browsing” feature. If you click through to a lengthy or dense article from search results, SGE will analyze the content and provide an AI-generated bullet point summary of key information. You’ll also see relevant follow-up questions linking to the sections of the article that answer them. This feature essentially acts like a digital reading companion, helping you identify and digest the most useful parts of complex articles.
For developers and programmers, SGE’s code comprehension capabilities got an upgrade as well. Now, sample code snippets that appear in summaries will have highlighted syntax and color coded elements like strings and keywords. This visual formatting helps developers parse and understand AI-generated code more easily.
To try these new generative search features, make sure you’re using the latest version of Chrome and head to Google’s Search Labs page. From there, toggle on SGE and enable SGE while browsing when it becomes available.
With Google leveraging large language models in search, your ability to find and comprehend information is reaching new heights. Generative AI looks to revolutionize how we interact with and utilize the wealth of knowledge available online. As these models continue to evolve, search stands to become more conversational, contextual and intelligent.