Google is starting to open up access to its new generative AI capabilities in search

Google announced today that it is starting to open up access to new generative AI capabilities in search after teasing them at its I/O event two weeks ago. The tech giant is opening up access to Search Labs, a new program that lets people sign up for experiences, including the Generative Search Experience, and test them out before the wider release.

If you’ve signed up for Search Labs, you’ll be notified by email when you can start testing new generative AI features in search. If you haven’t signed up and want to, you can do so by tapping the Labs icon in the latest version of the Google app (Android and iOS) or on the Chrome desktop.

Once you’re in, the new AI-powered generative search experience will help you understand a topic faster and get things done more easily, according to Google.

With this new update, Google says users can easily catch up on a new or complicated topic. Suppose you are looking for information on a topic that you would normally break down into separate queries. Search will now provide an AI-powered snapshot so you can get help understanding what factors to consider when typing a query, like “learn ukulele vs. guitar.”

The generative search experience can also uncover quick tips for specific questions. For example, if you search for things like “How to remove an old coffee stain from a wool sweater” or “How can I renew my passport quickly”, you can easily find pointers to key information you need to know. . , or discover a range of available options and take the next step with the help of the web.

Additionally, the new search experience also has Shopping integration. Google notes that you can search for things like “Peel and stick wallpaper for kitchen” to learn more about important factors, like whether it’s easy to remove, and get a list of options, including price, ratings customers and purchase links.

If you want to explore further, you can select the “ask a follow-up question” option or select a suggested next step, which will take you to conversation mode where you can ask Google more about the topic you are exploring. Context will carry over from question to question.

“This experiment is our first step in adding generative AI to search, and we will be making many updates and improvements over time,” Google wrote in a blog post. “As we continue to reinvent how we can make it even more natural and intuitive to find what you’re looking for, we’re excited for you to test these new features and share your feedback along the way.”