The US technology giant is said to be looking at a shift in its business model that would see it place some of its core products behind a paywall for the first time
Google is reportedly considering charging users to use its artificial intelligence (AI) powered search features.
The American tech giant might put some of its main products behind a paywall for the first time ever. According to the Financial Times, Google might add AI-powered search features to its existing subscription service for its AI chatbot, Gemini. This would be a rival to ChatGPT.
No final decision has been made yet, but engineers are looking into whether it’s possible. The report said that Google’s usual search engine, which is the most used in the world, would still be free.
Google told the BBC that it plans to “continue to build new premium capabilities and services to enhance our subscription offerings” but it didn’t have “anything to announce right now”. Presently, most of Google’s revenues comes from advertising, but it has been trying to source new revenue streams in recent years.
The rise of generative AI applications, sparked by the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022, has led to the biggest tech firms in the world rushing to get involved and become leaders in what is likely to be the key technology area for years to come.
Microsoft has invested in OpenAI as well as launching its own Copilot chatbot and AI-powered assistant, as has Facebook parent firm Meta, while Google has created Gemini and pushed more AI-powered features into its smartphones.
