According to reports from The New York Times, the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT AI chatbot has caused concern at Google. The Times states that Google plans to showcase a version of its search engine with chatbot features and unveil more than 20 AI-powered projects. Google had previously been hesitant to roll out AI technology too quickly, but recent developments such as layoffs and a focus on AI has led to a shift in strategy.
The launch date for Google’s AI search demo is not yet known, but it is expected to be among the projects debuting at the company’s annual I/O event in May. The Times also reports that Google’s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, have recently been more involved in the company’s decision making regarding AI, offering advice and ideas to executives in meetings about ChatGPT.
Google is reportedly working on a search engine demo that includes a chatbot feature, with a focus on providing accurate information, ensuring safety, and eliminating misinformation. The company is also looking for ways to speed up the review process for AI to ensure it operates in a fair and ethical manner. The report, presented by a panel of executives, also mentioned several new products, such as an image generation studio, a product prototype testing app, and a set of tools for businesses to create AI prototypes in a browser window called MakerSuite.
Google is also working on a code generation tool called PaLM-Coder 2 and another tool to help build apps for smartphones called Colab + Android Studio. In recent years, Google has been cautious with the release of AI products and faced criticism over the ethics of AI after firing two prominent researchers in the field. However, with the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and concerns about falling behind, the company seems to be revising its approach and moving away from concerns about reputational damage