The entire two-hour Google I/O 2024 keynote was dedicated to Gemini. Not a peep was said about the recently launched Pixel 8a or what Android 15 will bring at launch. The only times a smartphone or Android was mentioned is how Gemini is improving them.
The tech giant is clearly betting on AI, to the point that the broadcast concludes by boldly displaying the words “Welcome to the Gemini era.”
Among all the updates unveiled at the event, Google Search is set to get some of the most impressive changes. One could even argue that the search engine will see one of the most impactful updates in 2024 that it has ever received in its 25 years as a major technology platform. Gemini gives Google Search a huge performance boost and we can't help but be excited about it.
Below is a quick summary of all the new features Google Search will receive this year.
1. AI Summaries
The biggest update coming to the search engine is AI Overviews, which appears to be the release version of SGE (Search Generative Experience). Provides detailed answers to AI-generated queries. Answers come complete with contextually relevant text, as well as links to sources and suggestions for follow-up questions.
Starting today, AI Overviews will be leaving Google Labs and rolling out to everyone in the United States as a full feature. To anyone who has used the SGE, it appears to be identical.
The responsive layouts are the same and will also have product links. Presumably, Google has fixed all the problems so that it works optimally. Although when it comes to generative AI, there's still a chance you could freak out.
There are plans to expand AI Overviews to more countries with the goal of reaching more than one billion people by the end of 2024. Google noted that the expansion will happen “soon,” but did not give an exact date.
2. Video search
AI Overviews brings more to Google Search than just detailed results. One of the new features allows users to upload videos to the engine along with a text query. At I/O 2024, the presenter gave the example of purchasing a record player with defective parts.
You can load a clip and ask the AI what's wrong with your player, and it will provide you with a detailed answer that mentions the exact part that needs to be replaced, as well as instructions on how to fix the problem. You may need a new tonearm or cue lever, but you won't need to type a question into Google to get an answer. Instead, you can speak directly into the video and send it.
Searching With Video will launch soon for “English Search Labs users in the US,” with plans to further expand to additional regions over time.
3. Smarter AI
Next, Google introduces several performance improvements; however, none of them are available at the moment. They will soon roll out to the Search Labs program exclusively for people in the United States and in English.
First, you'll be able to click one of the two buttons at the top to simplify an AI overview answer or request more details. You can also choose to return to the original answer at any time.
Second, AI Overviews will be able to understand complex questions better than before. Users will not have to ask the search engine multiple short questions. Instead, you can enter a long query; For example, a user can ask you to find a specific yoga studio with introductory packages nearby.
Lastly, Google Search can create “plans” for you. It can be a three-day meal plan that's easy to prepare or a vacation itinerary for your next trip. It will provide links to recipes plus the option to replace dishes you don't like. Later, the planning tool will cover other topics such as movies, music and hotels.
All about Gemini
In a nutshell, these are pretty much all the changes coming to Google Search. If you're interested in trying them out and live in the United States, head to the Search Labs website, sign up for the program, and try out the experimental AI features. You'll find them near the top of the page.
Google I/O 2024 shed a lot of information on the tech giant's upcoming AI efforts. Project Astra, in particular, seemed very interesting, as it can identify objects, encode on a monitor, and even pinpoint the city you're in just by looking out a window.
Ask Photos was also great, if a little strange. It's an upcoming Google Photos tool capable of finding specific images in your account much faster than before and “handling more detailed queries” with surprising accuracy.
For a full breakdown, check out TechRadar's list of the seven biggest AI announcements from Google I/O 2024.
