Alphabet’s Google is reportedly exploring the possibility of introducing premium features for its generative AI-powered search engine, as per sources familiar with the matter cited by the Financial Times on Wednesday.
According to the report, the tech giant is considering various options, including integrating AI-powered search capabilities into its existing premium subscription services. These services currently offer access to the new Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs.
Alphabet’s shares experienced a slight decline of about 1% in after-hours trading following the news.
If implemented, this would mark Google’s first venture into putting any of its core products behind a paywall, signaling its ambition to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Notably, the traditional search engine would remain free of charge, with advertisements continuing to appear alongside search results even for subscribers, the report noted.
In response to inquiries from Reuters, Google stated via email, “We’re not working on or considering an ad-free search experience. As we’ve done many times before, we’ll continue to build new premium capabilities and services to enhance our subscription offerings across Google.”
Google, renowned for pioneering the foundational technology driving today’s AI advancements, is currently engaged in competition with prominent players in the industry, notably OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and its supporter Microsoft.
