WEB DESK : According to a report by Financial Times, Google, the global tech giant renowned for its free-of-cost search engine, is contemplating charging for the use of its artificial intelligence-enhanced features. The proposed premium subscription would grant users access to Google’s generative AI capabilities, a move reflecting the intensifying competition in the global technology landscape.
This development comes as Google faces significant challenges from emerging players in the industry, notably OpenAI, a tech startup backed by Microsoft, which recently gained attention with its creation of ChatGPT.
Alphabet’s Google has already initiated monetisation efforts with Gemini AI in its Gmail services. Notably, this marks the first time the tech giant has considered charging for its core services.
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In response to queries from Reuters, Google stated, “We’re not working on or considering an ad-free search experience. As we’ve done many times before, we’ll continue to build new premium capabilities and services to enhance our subscription offerings across Google.”
Founded in Menlo Park in 1998, Google finds itself among industry leaders grappling with the transformative impact of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Microsoft and its ChatGPT maker recently announced plans to establish a $100 billion datacenter for AI training, underscoring the growing investment in AI infrastructure.
Additionally, in January, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg revealed intentions to allocate $9 billion solely for Nvidia GPUs, further indicating the industry’s commitment to advancing AI technologies.
