It would be the first time that Google has placed one of its core products behind a paywall.
California:
Alphabet’s Google is considering charging for premium features on its generative AI-powered search engine, the Financial Times reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the plan.
The tech giant is exploring several options, including integrating AI-powered search features into its premium subscription services, which already include access to its new Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs, the report said.
Alphabet shares fell about 1% in extended trading.
The move would mark the first time Google has put one of its core products behind a paywall as the company looks to gain ground in the rapidly evolving AI space. The traditional search engine would remain free and ads would continue to appear next to search results, even for subscribers, the report said.
“We are not working on or considering an ad-free search experience. As we have done many times before, we will continue to develop new premium capabilities and services to enhance our subscription offering on Google,” the company told Reuters in a statement sent by email.
Google, which invented the foundational technology for the current AI boom, is also locked in a battle with two industry players that have captured the business world’s attention: ChatGPT’s creator OpenAI and its backer Microsoft.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by WhatsNew2Day staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)