Google expands AI integration in search engine, Enhances image ,voice queries
Google is further integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its search engine, introducing features that allow users to ask voice-based questions about images and organize search results more effectively. These changes, announced on Thursday, represent the latest phase in Google’s AI-driven transformation, which began in May when the company introduced AI-generated summaries, or "AI Overviews," to its search results.
The introduction of these AI Overviews raised concerns among publishers, as fewer users were clicking on search links, reducing traffic to news websites like The New York Times and technology review platforms such as TomsGuide.com. However, Google has responded by incorporating more external links into these overviews, addressing worries that AI-driven summaries were diverting attention from important web content. A recent study by BrightEdge, a search traffic analysis firm, revealed that while general news publishers were losing traffic, specialized sites like Bloomberg.com and the National Institutes of Health saw an increase in visits through these AI-generated links.
A key part of Google's AI evolution builds upon its existing Lens feature, which allows users to search for objects in images. The Lens option now processes over 20 billion queries per month and is particularly popular among users aged 18 to 24, a demographic Google is keen to engage. With the latest update, users will be able to ask conversational questions in English about images viewed through a camera lens and receive search results. In addition, those enrolled in Google Labs can now test voice-activated features, enabling them to capture videos of moving objects—such as fish in an aquarium—and ask questions, receiving answers through AI Overviews.
Initially, Google’s AI will be used to organize search results for recipe and meal-related queries in English, grouping information into clusters of images, videos, and articles. The company hopes that this new feature will offer a more streamlined and intuitive search experience, even as it continues to fine-tune its AI’s accuracy and reliability.
Google’s decision to enhance its flagship search engine with more AI capabilities highlights the company’s commitment to the technology, as it navigates a major industry shift driven by AI innovations. This move positions Google to compete with emerging AI-powered alternatives like ChatGPT and Perplexity, which offer more conversational search experiences.
Google’s Vice President of Search Engineering, Rajan Patel, emphasized the company’s goal to make search simpler and more accessible. “The whole goal is to make search effortless for people, so they can search any way, anywhere they are,” Patel explained, noting that the AI features aim to enhance user convenience.
Despite the promise of AI-driven convenience, the technology has faced criticism for occasional inaccuracies. Google's AI Overviews have produced some notable errors, including advising users to put glue on pizza and eat rocks. These incidents were attributed to data gaps and online interference. However, Google asserts that it has resolved many of these issues and is now confident in using AI to curate information on its search results page.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
