The release of generative AI tool ChatGPT has seen an explosion of interest in anything AI related. From the stock market to industry and commerce, AI has been the buzzword of 2024. In amongst the noise has been the quiet emergence of AI search engines that may point to the future of finding answers online. AI search is already in use on platforms such as Netflix or TikTok. However, there had been no firm AI- based alternative to the service provided by Google or Bing. Enter Perplexity, and a number of AI based search tools looking to transform the way we look for, and consume information.
Microsoft Makes the First Move
The world of online search has long been dominated by Google. Why, the service has now long been used as a verb to describe the act of searching for information on the internet. Coming a distant second in online search was Microsoft with Bing. However, Microsoft as an early investor in ChatGPT creator Open AI now may have first mover advantage. Soon after ChatGPT’s release and it’s explosion in popularity, Microsoft announced a range of AI enabled features that took advantage of their partnership with OpenAI.
In addition to new computer models with built-in AI tools, the company also announced Copilot. Copilot is ‘your everyday companion’ and can provide answers and productivity assistance. In addition, users can use the tool as a vacation planner, cooking assistant or fitness trainer. AI generated content is now also featured in search results.
In addition to search, users can also generate images from words as well as text from prompts. So even though Google had been working on its own AI powered search engine which it has since released. AI has basically been infused into most of the company’s offerings. The extent to which some industry insiders are questioning if its the right strategy. However, at the moment It seems as though Microsoft may be slightly ahead in this cycle of search.
Perplexity Looks to make Finding Answers Online Easier
The release of ChatGPT has allowed developers to harness the power of AI and build solutions. In online search, one such company that has become prominent is Perplexity.ai. Described as an ‘answer tool’, Perplexity is free to use and allows users to find answers to any query they have in real-time. Answers are presented as summaries featuring citations with numbered links that lead to the information source.
In addition to perplexity, there are a number of other AI search engines that have been released. These include You, a personalised search assistant, and Brave. However, the issue with most of the up and coming AI search is that it is built on open AI’s models. Unless start-ups can build their own models and infrastructure, it may be a long time yet before any of them get to challenge Googles dominance in search.
A recent New York times piece highlighted how Perplexity was not perfect, but was Very Good.
The difference with perplexity is it scours the net and finds information that answers your question directly. This is in comparison to google or other search engines returning a list of links. The service is great at summarising the answers yet still provides links for further deep dives if required. This is why aside from challenging old search AI points to a bigger role for answers in our life.
Is Hardware the Catalyst Required for AI’s Next Big Leap
As AI becomes cheaper to develop and more prevalent, the use of Artificial intelligence-led search engines seems set to grow. This however, depends on hardware catching up, in our view. Tech companies are already announcing AI capabilities to be included in their next wave of laptops and PC’s. While at the same time all the major tech companies are in an arms race and massively investing in Nvidia’s chips which are required to carry out research an build AI models.
Types of AI models range from machine learning to neural networks and artificial intelligence such as robotics. There are also Generative AI models such as ChatGPT or DALL-E and deep learning models as well. The hardware question also extends to future devices such as smart glasses or VR and AR headsets. One exciting such device is Apples headset.
You can easily imagine a user using their voice to search for something online. The results can be shown on your visor or display and you my be able to interact with with by swiping mid-air or even blinking! How AI search engines will monetize their services remains to be seen, but its clear consumers were never comfortable with the current status quo. Perplexity is racing towards a future where accuracy and ease of use are front and centre of how we search and consume answers online.
