Last Updated May - 23 - 2025, 12:49 PM | Source : Fela News
At I/O 2025, Google launches a revamped AI-powered search mode and premium Ultra subscription, intensifying its AI push amid rising competition and ad revenue c
On Tuesday, Google announced significant enhancements to its search engine by integrating more generative AI capabilities, underscoring its continued commitment to artificial intelligence even as concerns mount over the potential impact on its advertising-driven business model.
Speaking at Google’s annual I/O developers conference, CEO Sundar Pichai introduced a new “AI mode” for Search, describing it as the culmination of “decades of research.” This feature builds upon the existing AI Overviews, which provide AI-generated answers above the standard search results and ads.
“This new mode represents a complete reinvention of search,” Pichai said during the event in Silicon Valley. “It can handle longer, more complex queries and enables richer, follow-up interactions.”
Liz Reid, who leads Google Search, highlighted that the enhanced AI mode—now live in the U.S.—offers advanced reasoning, multimodal capabilities, and deeper exploration across the web, far beyond traditional search methods.
Since AI Overviews were first introduced at last year’s conference, the feature has expanded to more than 1.5 billion users globally, according to Pichai. “No other product brings generative AI to as many people as Google Search does,” he said.
This development comes as Google faces increasing pressure from competitors like OpenAI, whose ChatGPT has added search functionalities to its chatbot. Both companies are rapidly advancing AI tools, despite unresolved issues around misinformation, business models, and broader societal implications.
Industry analysts have raised red flags about the shift from traditional “blue link” search results to AI summaries, warning it could dramatically reduce advertising revenue—Google’s main source of income. Publishers, including news outlets and Wikipedia, are also concerned about a sharp decline in web traffic as search links become less prominent.
Fueling these worries, Apple executive Eddy Cue recently testified in a U.S. antitrust trial that Google’s search traffic on Apple devices declined in April for the first time in over 20 years. Cue, Apple’s senior VP of services, also revealed that Apple is considering switching its default search to an AI-powered alternative, such as ChatGPT or Perplexity. This revelation caused Google’s stock to drop, intensifying fears about the future of its advertising dominance.
The trial, which could result in a court order forcing Google to divest parts of its business, centers on accusations that the company operates an unlawful monopoly in search.
Google I/O, its annual developers gathering, is not only a product showcase but a platform to foster collaboration with app developers and service creators.
In addition to search upgrades, Google introduced a range of new AI-powered tools, such as live speech translation, virtual clothing fittings using personal photos, and smart shopping assistants that track prices and make purchases automatically.
Google is also enhancing its Chrome browser and Gemini AI app with “agent” functionalities—AI features capable of independently completing tasks online. These tools will first be rolled out to paying users.
Furthermore, Google announced a new premium “Ultra” subscription plan priced at $250 per month, offering access to its most advanced AI technologies.
May - 23 - 2025
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