By Senad Karaahmetovic
Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed that Google will start incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) features into its search engine.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Pichai said he believes the AI addition will further boost Google's ability to answer search queries.
"The opportunity space, if anything, is bigger than before," he said.
"Will people be able to ask questions to Google and engage with LLMs in the context of search? Absolutely," Pichai added.
Google was forced to act quickly after Microsoft-backed OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022, prompting several analysts to declare the Redmond-based tech titan an early winner in the generative AI arms race.
Pichai now confirmed to WSJ that Google was forced to act quicker as "timelines changed."
Pichai told WSJ that his company is testing several new search products, including asking follow-up questions to the original query. He expects the generative AI technology to become "more accessible than people expect."
"It has been incredible to see user excitement around adoption of these technologies, and some of that is a pleasant surprise as well," Mr. Pichai added.
Elsewhere, Alphabet's CEO also confirmed the company is progressing toward becoming 20% more productive. The internet giant said earlier this year it would eliminate 12,000 jobs.