Google is considering charging for cutting-edge “premium” features powered by artificial intelligence (AI), which marks a watershed moment because Google has never previously placed any of its core offerings behind a paywall.
Insiders spoke to the Financial Times on the condition of anonymity and revealed some of Google’s plans.
According to them, Google is examining a variety of solutions, including incorporating AI-powered search capabilities into premium membership plans.
While the engineers are working on it, Google management has yet to provide an update on the plan’s progress.
Even if Google does roll out these premium features, the search engine will remain free of charge
Interestingly, even if Google does roll out these premium features, the search engine will remain free of charge.
According to the FT, a Google spokeswoman stated, “We’re constantly enhancing our product to cater to evolving user needs. However, an ad-free search experience is not on our radar. Like we’ve done countless times in the past, we’ll continue innovating new premium features and services to enrich our suite of subscription offerings.”
This action may indicate that Alphabet is still figuring out how to employ rapidly growing new technologies without jeopardizing its core advertising business.
Google’s shares fell less than 1% in extended trade after the news surfaced.
Last year, Google began developing its AI-powered search engine, which contains links to websites and adverts, as well as a personalized, in-depth story.
However, the incorporation of features from its experimental “search generative experience” into the main search engine has been pushed back.