For years, Google has been the go-to name in web search. But lately, it seems like they’re playing catch-up in the fast-paced world of AI. If you’ve been following the tech news, you might have noticed Google’s recent push to infuse AI into its search features, trying to keep up with what OpenAI’s ChatGPT has been doing.
Recently, Google rolled out some interesting updates to its search capabilities, thanks to their Gemini AI model. They’ve introduced something called ‘AI Mode,’ which offers deeper insights and lets you ask follow-up questions—much like what ChatGPT has been offering for a while now.
Despite these impressive updates, it feels like Google’s playing defense rather than leading the charge. As of March 2025, these new features are still in a limited release, available to only a select group of users who are part of an experimental platform.
Google’s also trying to make its Gemini chatbot more personal, aiming to give you responses that feel custom-made. But again, this seems to echo what ChatGPT has been doing for some time by personalizing interactions based on user history.
What’s surprising is that Google, with its vast data collection history, doesn’t seem to be nailing personalization as well as you’d expect. In head-to-head tests, ChatGPT often shows a better understanding of user preferences.
Google’s main challenge is balancing innovation with its highly profitable search business. It’s a tricky spot to be in, especially when newer players like OpenAI don’t have the same constraints. Sure, Google has the resources and the user base to eventually outpace competitors, but leading the charge in AI-driven search is proving to be a tough path.
As the AI landscape keeps evolving, the big question is whether Google can use its strengths to become a leader in AI search, or if it will continue to follow the trail blazed by newer, more agile competitors.
