AI (artificial intelligence) is becoming more widely used. And, AI can be a powerful tool. With today’s AI, so much more can be accomplished using technology than was possible not that long ago.
However, AI is not all knowing and there are limits to what AI can do. As we have seen in AI’s earlier days, AI works better when it is integrated with human input. But, humans who are working with AI may not always have all the answers to alleviate AI’s shortcomings. Yet, many of these unknown answers may be available using a search engine, most likely Google. So, just like AI’s performance improved by integrating it with human input, AI can also be improved by integrating it with search engine results.
That’s why it’s good to see AI products that are integrating search capabilities into their systems. Google’s Gemini AI product has done this for a while. And, we are now seeing other AI vendors adding search capabilities to their AI products.
For example, a November 2-3, 2024 Wall Street Journal article reports that the AI product ChatGPT is adding search capabilities. The article is titled “Open AI Adds Search to ChatGPT” and is written by Kimberley Kao. Open AI is the company that produces ChatGPT. The article is subtitled “Feature positions company to compete as AI rivals roll out search functions.” The article says, “The latest version of the AI chatbot will allow users to search up-to-date information from across the internet”. The article reminds us of AI’s limitations, such as not revealing sources and possibly providing incorrect answers called hallucinations.
Since today’s AI is not all knowing and still cannot think, there is value in adding non-AI approaches in order to get better results that can help users deal with AI’s limitations. And, that’s what AI vendors are doing to improve their products. Just as adding human input has improved AI, adding readily accessible search features can also help users get better results from AI.
