I’ve created a podcast exploring what the future of “search” looks like. In this not too distant, armed with our mobile devices and access to new AI-powered search products like Search GPT (sign up to join the waitlist), I predict the soon-to-be ancient art of Googling will be a relic for the next generation. Culturally, this has huge implications, so I customized a ChatGPT 4o to discuss it with me.
Conversational AI will NOT be the catalyst that drives the new search. According to the brilliant book “Everybody Lies” by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, many users are habituated to typing queries and may find it uncomfortable to switch to voice interactions, especially for personal matters! Typing feels more private and controlled, as it is a direct interaction with the device that does not involve speaking out loud. We are a typing culture!
However, curated and summarized search results that are conversational and complex are bound to change how we collectively ask questions and find information.
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nicole093
Scan this code in Spotify to listen in the app. I’ve included poll questions on the Spotify episode.
Do you believe AI-powered search engines will improve your daily information retrieval compared to traditional Google-style searches?
- Absolutely, bring it on
- Nope, I’m Google 4 life
- Maybe, let’s wait and see
- Eh, privacy worries me.
- I have other concerns
Transcript
00;00;12;21 – 00;00;38;17
Nicole
Welcome back. My name is Nicole Magne, and I am a media and communications professional with over 20 years experience in implementing new technologies across various organizations. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working extensively in First Nations education and healthcare sectors. In this episode, we’ll explore how the advent of mobility has enabled AI to potentially challenge the longstanding cultural practice of googling.
00;00;38;19 – 00;00;55;16
Nicole
Mobile technology has made it possible for AI to integrate seamlessly into our daily lives. This shift not only enhances convenience, but also sets the stage for AI to potentially unseat the traditional dominance of Google in the search engine market.
00;00;55;18 – 00;01;14;05
Nicole
But I’m not alone today. I’m excited to introduce my co-host for today’s episode, ChatGPT 4o! I’ve trained ChatGPT for video on extensive source data specifically related to AI and information retrieval and its impact on mobility. So ChatGPT, how are you today?
00;01;14;08 – 00;01;25;00
Chat GPT4o
Hey there. I’m doing great. Thanks for having me. Today’s topic is indeed fascinating. We’re looking at how AI is transforming search engines. It’s all about making search smarter and more intuitive.
00;01;25;05 – 00;01;50;29
Nicole
Yeah. That’s right. When I start to think about how we search for information, there is a time when finding an answer meant going to the library, sifting through books, or even asking your friends. Then came Google, which made information retrieval instant and effortless. But I’m predicting is what’s happening is that we’re on the cusp of another transformation. AI powered search engines are going to be to Google what Netflix was to Blockbuster.
00;01;51;02 – 00;02;15;17
Chat GPT4o
Exactly. It’s incredible to think about how much has changed with AI powered search. We’re moving towards a more conversational and intuitive approach. Imagine asking your search engine a complex question and getting a detailed, context aware response, rather than a list of links to sift through. This transformation will likely make information even more accessible and tailored to individual needs.
00;02;15;24 – 00;02;54;13
Nicole
Well, I think that what we’re seeing is this idea of trying to capture the audience within a walled garden, so to speak, of whichever particular platform where all the information you ever need is, is buried within. And I think the impacts of that start to question what the future of the open web as we know it would look like, because the way that we can navigate openly and make free will decisions, based on what content is available throughout different websites from different sources.
00;02;54;19 – 00;02;57;05
Nicole
Really empowers us in some ways.
00;02;57;07 – 00;03;25;24
Chat GPT4o
That’s a very insightful concern. The idea of a walled garden is quite apt here. When platforms like meta or even AI powered search engines start handling more of our search queries and providing all the necessary information within their ecosystem. It does raise questions about the future of the open web. The open web allows for a diversity of sources and viewpoints, enabling users to explore and curate content according to their preferences and judgments.
00;03;25;26 – 00;03;36;03
Chat GPT4o
If AI starts curating content for us, there’s a risk that we might lose some of that autonomy and the ability to discover less mainstream but potentially valuable information.
00;03;36;05 – 00;03;48;02
Nicole
But I’m a little bit concerned about how, say, students would interact with the search functionality like this. I mean, in the context of education, what kind of implications does this have.
00;03;48;04 – 00;04;06;27
Chat GPT4o
If students rely too heavily on AI to search for information? They might not develop the critical research skills needed to evaluate and synthesize information from multiple sources. One implication is that educators will be need to place even greater emphasis on teaching information literacy skills.
00;04;06;29 – 00;04;30;05
Nicole
Right? And that actually makes me think of something which is this information overload and access to information at your fingertips that we enjoy now with mobile technology and access to, you know, 5G networks and Google, where any question you ever have can be answered almost immediately.
00;04;30;07 – 00;04;54;00
Chat GPT4o
That’s a profound point. The immediacy of information can indeed lead to a sort of cognitive overload, and reduce those moments of deep thinking and reflection with AI agents constantly providing answers at our fingertips, there’s a risk of becoming overly reliant on instant information, potentially interrupting our natural thought processes and diminishing our ability to engage in prolonged contemplation.
00;04;54;00 – 00;05;12;12
Nicole
What do you think? As far as the odds of the way in which society searches and seeks out information? Are we looking at a profound shift that will occur in the next five years? What do you think?
00;05;12;15 – 00;05;26;29
Chat GPT4o
Yes. In the next five years, AI powered search engines will revolutionize how we find information. While this offers great convenience, it also raises important concerns about privacy bias and the need to maintain critical thinking skills.
00;05;27;01 – 00;05;33;23
Nicole
Do you think that the term I’ll Google it will go out of fashion?
00;05;33;28 – 00;05;44;02
Chat GPT4o
It’s possible, as AI powered search engines like search GPT gained popularity. We might start hearing phrases like I’ll ChatGPT it or simply I’ll ask my AI.
00;05;44;04 – 00;05;51;00
Nicole
I think I’ll ChatGPT. It has already started to become part of our common lexicon.
00;05;51;03 – 00;05;56;04
Chat GPT4o
Yes, it definitely has. It’s fascinating to watch how these shifts happen.
00;05;56;06 – 00;05;58;28
Nicole
All right. Thank you so much for your time today.
00;05;59;00 – 00;06;04;03
Chat GPT4o
You’re welcome. It was great chatting with you. Have a wonderful day.
00;06;04;06 – 00;06;24;00
Nicole
All right. That wraps up today’s episode on the future of search with AI. Friend or foe yet to be determined, I suppose, but definitely a trend that is happening and future forecasting. I would put my money on. Thank you so much.
References
The following sources were provided to ChatGPT 4o for this podcast conversation.
Duffy, C. CNN. Retrieved July 26, 2024, from https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/25/tech/openai-artificial-intelligence-ai-search-engine/
Herrman, J. (2024, April 21). Meta’s AI Needs to Speak With You. Intelligencer. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/metas-ai-needs-to-speak-with-you.html
Guglielmo, C. (2024, May 20). With AI, Google Wants to Do All “the Googling for You.” Is That a Good Thing? CNET. https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/with-ai-google-wants-to-do-all-the-googling-for-you-is-that-a-good-thing/
Gupta, A. (2024, June 21). AI in Search Engines: The Future of Finding Information. Binmile – Software Development Company. https://binmile.com/blog/role-of-ai-in-future-of-search-engines/
Reid, L. (2024, May 15). Generative AI in Search: Let Google do the searching for you. Google. https://blog.google/products/search/generative-ai-google-search-may-2024/
Robison, K. (2024, July 25). OpenAI announces SearchGPT, its AI-powered search engine. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/25/24205701/openai-searchgpt-ai-search-engine-google-perplexity-rival
Stephens-Davidowitz, S. (2017). Everybody Lies. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Hey Nicole,
I enjoyed this thoroughly in terms of how the conversational approach with ChatGPT incepts the listening towards ‘hearing’ how current Chat AI technology will disrupt future societal trends in learning culture. It is such a great commentary of how the new generation, of Gen Zs and Alphas are already aptly using Siri or other chat-based technology for learning and exploring knowledge, fueled by their own curiosities.
I think it is important to understand the ethical boundary of using AI when comparing how a teacher uses the technology and how a student uses it. That it is rational and reasonable to restrict the availability and usage of this technology for learners, can be metaphorically represented in the analogy of how we do not let an average 7 year old drive a car, because a child may not understand the full implications of using a car that an adult may, or fully understand the consequences or the nuanced skills needed to maintain, use, and drive a car successfully. I enjoyed the response from ChatGPT 4o, that overreliance on the technology may inhibit the development of the skill to synthesize and organize their thoughts to optimize their own learning.
I do wonder though, if these Chat AI will one day be able to pass on the wisdom so effectively, that in the near future we will have kids as young as 7 years old, be able to drive cars down interstate highways without worries? Again, great project and creative and apt format. It was an insightful listening experience.
Hi Nicole,
I really enjoyed the delivery of your forecast. The style of using ChatGPT 4o as a co-host was a really clever way to highlight certain points. In particular, I thought it interesting that your co-host raised the risk of being unable to thinking deeply due to the immediacy of information through AI-powered searches. I think this phenomenon is already happening through the various tools we use as search engines.
Your forecast also reminded me of how news articles are framing how we search for things by generation. There was a study done by Adobe that suggested younger users of Tiktok will defer their search there before using anything else. I would assume it’s due to the content on a topic being condensed into a short video that makes it appealing, but that is where my mind immediately went when ChatGPT 4o was talking about the need to maintain deep and critical thinking.
Thanks again.
Reference
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/tiktok-gains-traction-as-a-search-engine-among-gen-z-study/505633/
Hello Nicole,
I always look forward to your creative and innovative content across various classes, and this one did not disappoint. It was another fantastic multimedia presentation from you! The production quality is excellent. The thought you had to incorporate generative audio as a conversation interview was a neat perspective to showcase knowledge.
I found the information you provided on large language model (LLM) searches particularly intriguing, especially considering the future of search technology. I’m seeing these types of searches emerging with tools like Copilot/Bing. I agree, we will need to further teach our students to understand bias and critical thinking when interacting with these tools.
What you said about text vs audio inputs was also interesting. I have dictated most of my work for the courses I have taken lately and prefer it as a method of entering information. I wonder how the future of users will interact with devices as they do not have habits formed with text entering.
Thank you for the insightful presentation!
Hi Nicole,
Amazing work! I feel like we had very similar ideas with out A3s and I am very happy to see another take on the possibilities of searching with conversational AI apps and programs. Extremely clever and exemplary use of the ChatGPT to co-host your podcast with you, just brilliant! I feel like this domain of information finding is going to steamroll “traditional” Google searching quite quickly; however, I am curious to see how apps, programs, or people will combat hallucinations provided by AI. I can see people having to fact-check the information once it has been gathered, but that would be another counterintuitive Google search or checking against another AI tool, which is also then unreliable. Perhaps the AI responses could include links to sites where the information was gathered? But then, maybe this would be just like Googling where sources are listed and little “AI blurbs” accompany the hyperlink (sounds oddly familiar!). I am curious,what do you think forcasted apps like yours would do to combat false information and halucinations?
Hi Nicole,
What a clever idea to conduct an interview with a conversational agent for this project! I’m really impressed with your creative approach, incorporating two topics from the Movable Feast – podcasts and Siri and her AI offspring into your project.
I think you’re onto something with your prediction, particularly as AI can make searching even more convenient by narrowing down and providing a specific and personalized response, to a prompt. I agree that searching via AI-powered search products will become more prevalent as we’re always looking for time-saving and the most convenient option. Having to search through different links and pages of Google results seems cumbersome to the singular response that AI can provide.
Having said this, this also worries me as singular viewpoints and bias may be exacerbated, as you mention. I wonder whether the younger generation will lose the desire to critically think about where their answers are coming from, or how the answers are derived, given that it is just so convenient…could they become blinded by this conveniency?
Hello Nicole and Shannen,
I agree, I feel that the younger generation is already on their way in skipping the steps of adequate research and resource credibility. Students seem more keen in receiving information rather than questioning it. For example, when students use Google for research, they read the summaries displayed at the top and choose to click on the drop down answers formatted by Google itself. This is concerning as there is a lack of critical thinking in retrieving the information. This is the definition of convenience and the lack of research skills. I spent a whole week with my grade 8 social studies class properly researching and using the school’s online databases because they relied on Google so much.
A new AI tech that can put together ChatGPT functions and allow for students to search for reliable article/data results would be awesome!