Reuters
Updated Thursday, April 4, 2024-07:37
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Technology Google CEO acknowledges the "completely unacceptable" problems with its AI
Alphabet's
Google is considering charging for
premium features
of its artificial intelligence-powered generative search engine, the Financial Times reports, citing sources familiar with the plan.
The tech giant is exploring several options, including adding
AI-based search features
to its premium subscription services, which already offer access to its new
Gemini AI
assistant in Gmail and
Docs
, according to the report.
Alphabet shares fell about 1% in extended trading. The move would mark the first time Google has put any of its core products behind a paywall as it seeks to gain traction in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence space. Its traditional search engine would remain free and ads would continue to appear next to search results even for subscribers, the report added.
"We are not working on or considering an ad-free search experience. As we have done many times before, we will continue to create new features and premium services to improve our subscription offerings across Google," the company told Reuters in an emailed statement. .
Google
, which invented the technology critical to the current rise in artificial intelligence, is also facing off against two industry players that have captured the attention of the business world: OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, and Microsoft, which backs it.