As part of its efforts to improve what its search engine can do, Google has announced new AI-powered updates to Google Search. According to an announcement by Vice President of Search, Elizabeth Reid, the company has introduced two major updates that will make it easier for users to get answers to queries: the Circle to Search and an AI-powered multisearch experience.
Circle to Search is a new feature that allows users to search for anything on their Android phone screen without having to switch apps. Users can simply select images, text, or videos by circling, highlighting, scribbling, or tapping on them, and find the information they need right where they are. This feature will launch globally on select premium Android smartphones on January 31.
The second major update is the AI-powered multisearch experience. Google’s multisearch feature, initially unveiled in Lens, allowed users to search multimodally with both images and text. With the new update, when users point their camera at an object and ask a question using the Google app, the multisearch experience will provide AI-powered insights that go beyond visual matches. Users can ask more complex or nuanced questions about what they see and quickly find and understand key information. This feature will be available in English in the U.S. for everyone.
These updates are part of Google’s efforts to leverage generative AI’s ability to understand natural language and make search more intuitive and user-friendly. By expanding the ways users can interact with Google Search, the company aims to provide a seamless and comprehensive search experience.
Elizabeth Reid highlighted that these updates are just the beginning of what’s possible with AI-powered search. The company will continue to experiment and introduce new features that harness the potential of generative AI. Reid also mentioned the positive feedback received from users who have participated in the ongoing experiments, and reaffirmed Google’s commitment to making AI helpful for everyone.
With these latest updates, Google continues to push the boundaries of what its search engine can do, empowering users to find information more easily and efficiently. Whether it’s searching within an app or using the camera to ask questions, Google’s AI-powered updates are transforming the search experience and making it more accessible to all.
