Google tests a major change to its search engine

Copyright © HT Digital Streams Limit all rights reserved. Tae Kim, Barrons 2 min Read May 17, 2025, 06:06 PM The future of Google’s search in an AI-focused world was one of the biggest debates on Wall Street. Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo (Reuters) Summary Some Google.com users have begun to see an “AI mode” button under their search. The test comes under pressure with alphabet stock over concerns about AI disruption. Google experimented with a significant review of its search engine design, which can push more users to an AI-Chatbot-driven search experience. Earlier this week, some visitors to the Google.com search website noticed that the “I feel happy” was replaced by a button that says, “AI mode”. Click on the “AI mode” box after tap in a text inquiry, bring the user to an AI -ChatBot interface similar to Chatgpt and Google’s own Gemini. Barron’s could see and try the redesigned Google.com home page this week. When a Google spokesman was asked to comment on the new “AI -Mode” role on Google.com, a Google spokeswoman said: “We often test different ways in which people can access our useful features. This is only one of the many experiments, and it is only limited to laboratory users. ‘ Some visitors to Google.com have recently seen a new “AI mode” button. If you click on “AI mode” after typing a text inquiry, bring the user to an AI -ChatBot interface similar to Chatgpt and Google’s own Gemini. Google often performs tests that may not be introduced to the broader user base. But the company seems to take this particular test seriously. In a recent interview, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai suggested that ‘AI mode’ could become an important search paradigm for Google. We test ‘this new dedicated Ai experience called’ Ai Mode ‘to come and search,’ Pichai said at the All-in Podcast published on Friday. “In” AI mode “you may have a complete AI experience looking, including follows on conversational inquiries.” The future of Google’s search in an AI-focused world has been one of the biggest debates on Wall Street over the past few weeks. Alphabet shares fell 6.9% last week after Apple Executive Eddy Cue testified in court that Google was looking for VIA Apple browsers for the first time in April, as more people pointed to AI chatbots for their search inquiries. The remark has accelerated the concerns among investors that Google’s search dominance eventually faces. Shares dropped 9% this week, amid a broader rally for technology and as investors look forward to the company’s annual developer conference, Google I/O,. In his Podcast interview published on Friday, Pichai said that Ai fashion would be one topic of conversations at the upcoming conference. Alphabet stocks rose 1.4% on Friday in the middle of the day. Write to Tae Kim on tae.kim@barrons.com, catch all the corporate news and updates on live currency. Download the Mint News app to get daily market updates and live business news. More Topics #Google Apps Mint Special