Google's search engine to feature chat AI - CEO Sundar Pichai
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Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) announced plans to integrate conversational artificial-intelligence features to the company's flagship search engine following the breakthrough success of Microsoft's (MSFT) ChatGPT.
Pichai told The Wall Street Journal that advances in artificial intelligence could help Google answer queries faster.
He denied that chatbots posed a threat to Google's search business, which accounts for more than half of parent Alphabet Inc's revenue.
According to Pichai, smaller AI models will become more useful over time, which will enable companies to create their own or users to run the algorithms on their own personal devices.
âYouâll have a whole diverse range of options,â Pichai said. âThe technology will be more accessible than people expect.â
Even though Pichai declined to comment on the product's availability without a wait list, he made it apparent that Google would keep improving Bard with new AI models and is also focused on adding AI features that will enhance work-related products such as Gmail. 
In addition to investor pressure to cut costs, Pichai is coping with one of the largest threats to Google's main business in years as Microsoft (MSFT) has already introduced the technology underlying the ChatGPT system in its Bing search engine in February.
Microsoft stated that it anticipated making $2B in revenue for each percentage point it increased in the search industry, which is dominated by Google with a share of more than 90%.
Google Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat warned employees last week to expect more budget cuts in areas ranging from dining facilities to the company's computing infrastructure, which is critical for developing and running powerful AI algorithms.
The tech giant announced in January that it would eliminate 12,000 employees, or 6% of its staff, in one of its largest-ever layoffs.
Inflation and the recession fears have prompted many tech companies to make cuts.
Shares up 0.75% in Thursday's premarket hours and about 17% higher so far this year.
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Meanwhile, see why SA contributor Zen Analyst says, "Google's potential for innovation and adaptability makes it an intriguing investment opportunity despite the challenges," in his article "Alphabet's Uphill Battle: Google's Bard Struggles Against ChatGPT."
Also read: Microsoft's AI-powered Bing a 'bit more' useful than Google Bard: Raymond James