Google releases new AI-powered “video search” feature
Google has released a “video search” feature which allows users to find content by filming and uploading a short clip online.
Rather than entering text into a search box, users can now pull out their smartphones and record themselves asking a question about an object or topic.
Like many of Google’s recent updates, artificial intelligence is at the heart of the new feature.
As a case study the tech giant used the example of a person visiting an aquarium and wanting to know more about a particular fish.
Video search allows the user to verbalise a question alongside footage of the group of fish.
After the content is uploaded, Google uses AI to identify the fish and then produces a set of targeted search results with the answer and other relevant links.
Industry analyst Paola Pescatore believes it will be popular as “people connect best with visuals”.
However, there are concerns about the quality of results.
Google received criticism earlier this year after its AI-generated results delivered inaccurate and potentially dangerous recommendations.
Google said these were “isolated examples”.
The latest update is more evidence of Google’s big bet on AI; many of its services and products are now infused with artificial intelligence.
The shift was triggered by rival OpenAI, which upended the industry with ChatGPT.
OpenAI concluded a record-breaking $6.6bn funding round last week and is currently trialling its own search feature called SearchGPT.
Google remains the dominant player in the search space, though, with a 90% market share globally.