On Friday, Google began rolling out a new feature that allows users to turn search results into voice conversations by providing spoken summaries powered by generative AI models.
According to the company, the voice glimpses feature provides a quick overview of search results in a conversational format, giving users a practical way to absorb information without needing to look at the screen, whether while multitasking or for those who prefer an auditory experience.
Visual and audio information at the same time
Google stated, 'We display useful pages within the audio player on the search results page, allowing you to dive deeper and explore more easily.'
This step is part of Google's efforts to enhance its search engine through generative AI, despite the concerns this shift raises regarding the advertising model the company relies on.
The company's CEO recently revealed the 'new AI status' within search results, which surpasses the previous version that displayed quick answers at the top of the results.
Intense competition with chatbots
Since the launch of the AI-powered summaries feature over a year ago, it has expanded to include more than one and a half billion users in several countries, according to the company.
These moves come amid intensifying competition with other chatbots that have also begun integrating search features into their interactive platforms.