Hey there, legal eagles! It’s time to put on your thinking caps and dive into the fascinating world of Google Search. You might be wondering, “What’s the big deal? It’s just a search engine.” Well, my friends, hold onto your gavels, because Google is shaking things up with some serious AI magic – this time for real.
Picture this: Liz Reid, Google’s VP of Search, opens her laptop and starts typing away. She searches for something like “Why is sourdough bread still so popular?” Lo and behold, the usual search results appear, but wait for it! Above them, a flashy orange section pulsates with the words “Generative AI is experimental.” Suddenly, like magic, an AI-generated summary pops up, enlightening us about the wonders of sourdough, its prebiotic goodness, and more. Oh, and there are links to corroborating sources too. Fancy, right?
But hold your briefcases, there’s more! VP of Search Liz goes on to search for the best Bluetooth speakers for beach parties. Again, the standard search results show up, but soon after, AI-generated summaries and buying guides appear. You can even add “under $100” to your search, and voila, the AI snapshot updates with fresh summaries and picks.
Kinda cool.
Wanna see more?
Ready for a Sneak Peek to SGE?
Here’s a great example provided by Barry Schwartz, founder of Search Engine Roundtable, of what the new Search Generative Experience can handle. Imagine you’re preparing to go on a family vacation in Utah and you’re wondering “What’s better for a family with kids under 3 and a dog, bryce canyon or arches national park?”
Ask Google.
That reminds me of “Ask Jeeves” back in the 90s. Remember that? Except this is the real deal.
Powered by Google’s LLM work, including the PaLM 2 and MUM models (fancy acronyms, I know), these snapshots show how revolutionary this new feature could be to search. They’re colorful, they’re AI-first, and they often dominate your entire first page of results on those tiny mobile screens we love so much.
Google Isn’t Forcing Anything On Anyone
Here’s the catch – you gotta opt-in to this new feature called Search Generative Experience (SGE). And not all searches will trigger the AI component. Google’s algorithms play judge and jury, deciding when it’s more useful to show you the AI option instead of regular results. And sorry, health and finance queries are currently off-limits for AI interference. Maybe not forever, but it’s clear they’re easing into this with caution.
Now, Google wants you to know that SGE is an experiment, but they’re also dropping hints that it’s a game-changer. It’s like the first step in a grand plan to revolutionize how billions of people find information online and, let’s not forget, how Google rakes in that sweet moolah.
These AI snapshots are no small potatoes. As we speak, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will join forces with key leadership from Microsoft, DeepMind and Google Thursday as the secretive Bilderberg Meeting kickstarts in Lisbon, Portugal, and AI is at the top of the agenda.
But let’s get real for a moment. Google’s search AI is not trying to be your buddy or crack jokes like a stand-up comedian. It’s aiming to be your trusty virtual assistant, there to understand your needs and guide you in the right direction. It’s all about factual accuracy, not being the life of the party even though there’s a lot of entertainment value in playing around with AI. We don’t want AI-generated fiction masquerading as truth, do we?
Stay Ahead of the Game by Experimenting With & Embracing AI Tools
Now, before you get all lawyerly and skeptical, let me assure you that SGE is just the tip of the iceberg. The future holds exciting possibilities. With AI-powered search becoming the norm, lawyers like you need to stay ahead of the game. That means adapting to the changing landscape by experimenting with AI technology. and learning how useful it can be to your law practice.
So, my legal compadres, the AI age is here, and Google’s at the forefront as it prepares to make SGE the shiny new object in its search engine. Whether you’re using a chatbot like ChatGPT, Bard, or using some other kind of AI platform, be sure to stay informed, adapt, and make the most of this AI-powered bonanza. Those who are creative and find ways to leverage it to its potential will absolutely benefit from it.
Devin Harper is an SEO Account Manager at Nifty. He joined the team in 2013 and lives with his wife and three children in Burley, ID. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, playing tennis and pickleball with his wife, and being involved in his kids’ sports and activities.