The search engine giant Google is working on a new project under the code name “Magi” to combat competition from AI-backed search engines such as Microsoft’s Bing. Google currently holds over 90% of the search market, while Microsoft aims to earn $2 billion with each 1% increase in market share. Microsoft’s Bing search has seen a 25% growth in monthly page visits due to the integration of ChatGPT and GPT-4, which enhances prompt requests per user, model efficiency, user experience, and search results. To meet this competition, Google is developing an AI-powered search engine that will provide users with a personalized experience by predicting their requirements.
New AI-Powered Search Tools from Google Magi
According to The New York Times, Google’s new AI-powered search tools will be released next month, with even more features coming in the fall. Initially, the new features will be available exclusively in the US and released to a maximum of one million users. While it still needs to be determined what the new tools will offer, they will likely build on the conversational premise of Google’s experimental Bard chatbot. The new search tools are being developed under the code name “Magi” and are part of Google’s efforts to combat competition from new systems like Microsoft’s Bing chatbot and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Threats from ChatGPT and Bing Driving Google’s New Search Engine
Many believe that AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT and Bing could one day replace traditional search engines like Google, despite their failings. As a result, Google is scrambling to answer the threat posed by these competitors. The potential loss of Samsung, a $3 billion contract, led to widespread internal panic at Google. According to documents obtained by The New York Times, the company has been in a frenzy since December, when it first issued a “code red” in response to the rise of ChatGPT. Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI to relaunch Bing in February only deepened threats to Google’s long-held search engine dominance.
Also Read: Google VS Microsoft: The Battle of AI Innovation
Google’s Other AI Developments
In addition to developing new search tools under Project Magi, Google is planning a more radical rebuild of its search engine. However, according to The New York Times, there is no clear timetable for when the company will release the new search technology. Meanwhile, Google is also developing a range of other AI tools. This includes an AI image generator called GIFI, a language learning system called Tivoli Tutor, and a feature called Searchalong. Searchalong would integrate a chatbot into Google’s Chrome browser to answer questions about the current web page, similar to Microsoft’s Bing AI sidebar for its Edge browser.
Implications for the Future of Search Engines
As AI-powered search engines become more prevalent, traditional search engine giants like Google are under increasing pressure to keep up. The development of Google’s new search engine, Project Magi, is a response to this challenge. The future of search engines will surely undergo significant changes in the coming years as AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT and Bing continue to evolve. Google’s new search engine is just one of many attempts by tech giants to stay ahead of the competition and remain the dominant force in the search market.
Also Read: Google’s Monopoly Hindered Innovations Like ChatGPT: US Department of Justice
Our Say
In conclusion, Google’s development of a new search engine under the code name “Magi” is a response to the increasing competition from AI-powered search engines like Microsoft’s Bing and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Google is also updating its existing search engine and developing various AI tools to stay ahead of the competition. As competition continues to heat up, we have yet to determine which search engine giant will come out on top. However, for now, Google’s new search engine is a step in the right direction towards retaining its position as the dominant force in the search market.
Sabreena Basheer is an architect-turned-writer who's passionate about documenting anything that interests her. She's currently exploring the world of AI and Data Science as a Content Manager at Analytics Vidhya.
