3 6 Ke·2025-05-21 04:09Core Viewpoint - Google is undergoing a significant transformation of its search engine to counter the threat posed by AI chatbots, introducing a new feature called "AI mode" that answers user queries in a conversational manner rather than just listing links [1][2]. Industry Landscape Changes - The rapid rise of generative AI is fundamentally altering how people access information, putting pressure on tech giants to adapt. AI chatbots like ChatGPT are replacing traditional search methods, which could lead to a decline in Google's traffic and advertising revenue, as it currently holds about 90% of global internet search traffic [2]. - Apple may integrate AI options like ChatGPT into its Safari browser within the next year, further intensifying competition for Google [2]. Google's AI Counteroffensive - Google is enhancing its proprietary large language model, Gemini, and embedding it across various products. The "AI Overview" feature, launched in 2024, has reached 1.5 billion monthly active users and provides AI-generated summaries at the top of search results [3]. - The "AI mode" feature, which mimics the experience of mainstream AI chatbots, is set to be officially launched, allowing users to enable it via a tab. This feature is supported by the Gemini model and will include a virtual try-on function for clothing [5]. Multiple Challenges Ahead - Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, the generative AI sector has rapidly evolved, with many tech companies investing heavily in research and development. Google has faced criticism for lagging behind OpenAI and Microsoft, which have invested billions in this area [5]. - Google is also dealing with legal regulatory risks, including an antitrust case that could result in significant remedies, such as the forced divestiture of the Chrome browser. Google executives argue that market competition has intensified since the lawsuit was filed in 2020 [5][6]. - Despite the growth in Gemini's usage, it has not yet matched the popularity of ChatGPT, as stated by Google's CEO Sundar Pichai during court testimony [6].