Google Chrome will soon welcome a new AI-powered feature. It will allow you to search based on the actual content of the sites you visit, not just their names. Two other tools will also be making their appearance.
In the midst of a race to dominate the generative artificial intelligence market, Google continues, little by little, to integrate AI into its various services. After integrating its in-house chatbot, Gemini, into Gmail, Docs and Calendar, it is now the turn of its Chrome web browser to have the right to it. While the Internet giant is working on a Gemini shortcut in the address bar allowing you to converse directly with AI, it announced, in a blog post released on August 1st, the upcoming arrival of three new AI-powered features. One of them will allow you to directly ask Chrome, by typing a simple question, to find information in the history. A tool that had already been spotted in June in the Canary version of the browser – the channel that allows developers and enthusiasts to test new browser features and give their feedback in order to improve them (see our article) – and which should arrive shortly.
Google Chrome History: AI-powered search feature to help you navigate more easily
Searching for a webpage that is days or weeks old can be frustrating, as it often involves sifting through a sea of visited URLs. In short, it is mission impossible. Also, “We want to introduce a more conversational interface to Chrome History, so users don’t have to remember URLs”explains Chrome VP Parisa Tabriz. With this feature, you will be able to make natural language queries to find the right page in your history of visited web pages, based on their actual content. For example, you could ask which ice cream shop you visited last week. To do this, simply go to your history and type the question in the search bar. Chrome then uses a combination of the URL, title and content of the page to then display the most relevant search results. This greatly increases the chances of finding what you are looking for!
But what about privacy? Google assures that Gemini will not directly use our data to train its artificial intelligence models and that it will “only” analyze URLs, titles and page content. “Everything related to browsing history is highly personal and sensitive data. We think about privacy from the start and from the design stage.”assures Parisa Tabriz. A statement that contrasts with what the company had previously stated, admitting that searches by history, the content of the corresponding pages and the data generated by the AI can be consulted by the company and its teams to improve the models of its artificial intelligence. However, this function will be optional and can be deactivated at any time. It will also not be able to be used in private browsing mode.
AI in Google Chrome: the upcoming arrival of Google Lens and a price comparison tool
In parallel, Google will be rolling out two other AI-powered features in Chrome. The first is Google Lens, the image recognition system launched in 2017, which was previously only available on Android and iOS. With the new Chrome update, Google Lens will now be available on the web version of its search engine. “This means you can easily select, search and ask questions about anything you see on the web, without leaving your current tab.”the blog post states.
To do this, simply click on the camera icon in the search bar, then click or drag the cursor over the object of your search. It will also be possible to access it by right-clicking or using the three-dot menu. Once the selection is made, the visual matches and results will be displayed in the side panel. You can then refine them by adding criteria such as color, a brand, or many other details.
Finally, Google Chrome will be getting a price comparison tool. Called Tab Compare, the feature uses AI to generate a comparison table of products from multiple tabs. For example, you can compare the price and technical specifications of multiple speakers in a single window, without having to switch between different tabs and searching for product details and reviews scattered across different pages and websites.
AI in Google Chrome: a deployment soon in France?
Unfortunately, we will have to wait a little longer before being able to enjoy these new features. They will start to be deployed in the coming weeks in the United States, with activation by default. Regarding their arrival in France, things are more complicated, especially for the AI search function in history. Indeed, it is not certain that the European authorities will view this tool favorably. We still remember the outcry caused by the Recall function of Microsoft’s AI Copilot, to the point that the Redmond firm was forced to make several radical changes. Result: Recall was ultimately not deployed to the general public when the Copilot+ PCs arrived (see our article). Not to mention that Google’s new tool may raise some questions about compliance with the GDPR…