Why Google introduced two AI updates to search engine

Google has announced two groundbreaking updates, Circle to Search and Multisearch, designed to elevate the search experience on its platform. Ms Elizabeth Reid, Vice-President of Search at Google, shared that these updates, born from generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) testing, aim to make search more intuitive and user-friendly.

Highlighting Google’s commitment to organizing and universalizing information, Reid underscored the symbiotic relationship between this mission and Google’s continuous advancements in AI. These advancements enable a deeper understanding of information in various formats, such as text, audio, images, and videos.

“As part of this evolution, we’ve made it easier for users to express their search queries in more natural and intuitive ways. For instance, you can search with your voice or use Lens to search with your camera. Google has been testing generative AI’s ability to comprehend natural language, enabling users to ask questions on Search in a more natural way. As we step into 2024, Google is introducing two major updates that bring this vision closer to reality,” remarked Reid.

The first update, Circle to Search, offers a novel way to search for content on an Android phone screen without switching apps. With simple gestures like circling, highlighting, scribbling, or tapping, users can select images, text, or videos in a way that feels natural, streamlining the information retrieval process.

The second update, Multisearch, revolutionizes the search experience by providing AI-powered insights beyond visual matches. When users point a camera or upload a photo or screenshot and ask a question using the Google app, the multisearch experience delivers results with nuanced information. This allows users to ask more complex questions about what they see and swiftly understand key information.

Reid concluded, “We envision a future where you can search any way, anywhere you want. These updates mark a significant step towards that future, enhancing the accessibility and versatility of the search experience.”