Google launched real-time search capabilities on Thursday to the Gemini AI platform, allowing language models to access live information from Google Search. The latest feature, called “Earthing via Google search” is aimed at developers building AI applications, distinguishing it from the consumer-oriented OpenAI ChatGPT Search service launched on the same day.
“We are focused on incorporating search-powered answers into developer workflows,” said Logan Kilpatrick, product leader at Google, in an exclusive interview with VentureBeat. “We’re leveraging what Google does exceptionally well – making information from around the world accessible through search.”
Say hello to Grounding with Google Search, available in Gemini API + Google AI Studio!
You can now access real-time access to fresh and up-to-date information from Google Search while building with Gemini by enabling the Grounding tool.https://t.co/oGVTOKHfM8
— Logan Kilpatrick (@OfficialLoganK) October 31, 2024
The system allows developers to complement AI applications with fresh search data, along with citations and sources. The service costs money $35 for 1000 inquirieswhich reflects the significant computational requirements for real-time AI search.
The technology uses “dynamic download” system that mechanically determines when to access search results. Each query is rated from 0 to 1 – current events questions get a high rating (0.97) and creative writing prompts get a low rating (0.13). This helps you manage each costs and response times while maintaining accuracy.
Inside the $49 billion battle for the future of search
Google’s decision to integrate search with its AI platform comes at a critical time. The company made money $49.4 billion in search promoting in Q3 2024but faces increasing pressure from AI-based alternatives. Running these systems requires massive computing resources – OpenAI expects to spend $5 billion in computing costs this 12 months alone.
Integration also raises questions about publisher remuneration. Both Google and OpenAI have entered into licensing agreements with major news organizations, although the financial terms remain private. Several publishers, including New York Timeshave filed lawsuits over the use of artificial intelligence systems without permission.
Why OpenAI’s latest ChatGPT search engine could change the way we discover information on the Internet
Hours after Google’s announcement, OpenAI launched its ChatGPT search engine, taking a different approach and targeting consumers directly. While Google focuses on providing developers with tools to build search-powered AI applications, the OpenAI service offers end users a way to access up-to-date information about news, sports, stocks and weather through a conversational interface – especially without ads.
“The journey we’re on is about using Google Search in more creative ways and on many levels,” Shrestha Basu Mallick, Google’s group product manager for the Gemini API, said in an interview with VentureBeat. “You’ll have it through AI Studio, Gemini APIs, and eventually it could become native in the model itself.”
This latest phase of competition could change the way people find information online. Instead of scrolling through pages of results, users are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence systems to synthesize answers from multiple sources. But questions remain about accuracy, publisher compensation and whether firms can build sustainable business models around compute-intensive services.
The simultaneous launch suggests that AI-powered search could turn into a three-way race between Google, Microsoft (via the OpenAI partnership) and OpenAI itself.
Google maintains its lead in search infrastructure and promoting revenue, while OpenAI has demonstrated skill in creating compelling consumer AI products. Meanwhile, Microsoft is reaping the advantages of each thanks to its multi-billion dollar investment in OpenAI.