Google Rolls Out AI Mode Test on Homepage Amid Growing Antitrust Scrutiny
Google is experimenting with AI Mode on its homepage, as its growing AI ambitions clash with rising global antitrust scrutiny.
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Google has begun testing a new feature, AI Mode, within its search box, replacing the traditional "I'm Feeling Lucky" widget on the homepage. This change, rolled out to a select group of users in the U.S. as part of a Google Labs experiment, aims to gauge user response and collect feedback. A spokesperson for the tech giant confirmed that this feature is still in its testing phase and there are no immediate plans for a broader rollout.
As part of the testing, some users have observed an interactive rainbow border that rotates around the new AI Mode widget when they hover over it. Alternatively, Google is also exploring the possibility of adding a shortcut to the AI Mode in the search bar while keeping the classic "I'm Feeling Lucky" feature intact.
The company’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into its search platform align with its growing focus on AI technologies. In March, Google had announced plans to experiment with an AI Mode on the search results page rather than the homepage. However, its ambitious AI initiatives are now coming under more scrutiny.
Recently, during an antitrust trial, Apple executive Eddie Cue testified that search traffic on Google’s platform had dropped for the first time ever in April. This revelation has raised concerns about AI’s potential impact on traditional search methods, contributing to a decline in Google’s stock value.
