Google Might Charge for Generative AI-Powered Search Engine: Financial Times

Google, the single largest search engine in the world is planning to levy a charge on its generative AI-powered search engine, a news report published in the London-based Financial Times on April 3, 2024 states. However, the regular Google search engine that’s used by billions of persons and doesn’t have the generative AI feature, will continue to be offered free, the report, quoting sources within Google’s parent firm, Alphabet, adds.

“The tech giant is looking at a variety of options, including incorporating AI-powered search features to its premium subscription services, which already provide access to its new Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs,” the report said. The move would mark the first time ever that Google is putting behind a paywall, any of its core and popular products. Incidentally, stock prices of Alphabet nosedived by about one percent in extended trade, the same day.

The move to levy fees on Google search engine with generative AI could be prompted by the fact that the company is seeking at making its mark in the rapidly evolving AI space. The subscription amount hasn’t been disclosed by Google as yet and it could be announced shortly. The regular Google search engine will remain free of cost and ads will continue to appear alongside search results, even for subscribers of paid versions, the report adds.

 “We’re not working on or considering an ad-free search experience. As we’ve done many times before, we’ll continue to build new premium capabilities and services to enhance our subscription offerings across Google,” the company told Reuters in an emailed statement.

Google, which invented the foundational technology for today’s AI boom, is also locked in battle with two industry players that have captured the business world’s attention – ChatGPT’s creator OpenAI and its backer, Microsoft.