Google is adding a new feature to the Gemini application programming interface (API) and AI Studio to help developers ground the responses generated by artificial intelligence. Announced on Thursday, the feature dubbed Grounding with Google Search will allow developers to check the AI-generated responses against similar information available on the Internet. This way developers will be able to further fine-tune their AI apps and offer their users more accurate and up-to-date information. Google highlighted that such grounding methods are important for prompts that generate real-time information from the web.

Google Releases ‘Grounding With Google Search’ Feature

Google AI for Developers support page detailed the new feature which will be available on both the Gemini API as well as the Google AI Studio. Both of these tools are largely used by developers who are building mobile and desktop apps with AI capabilities.

However, generating responses from AI models can often result in hallucinations, which can negatively impact the credibility of the apps. The problem can be even more significant when the app delves into topics of current affairs, where the latest information from the web is required. While developers can manually fine-tune the AI model, without a guiding dataset, errors can still exist.

To solve this, Google is offering a new way to verify the output generated by AI. Known as grounding, this process connects an AI model to verifiable sources of information. Such sources contain high-quality information and add more context to the information. Some examples of these sources include documents, images, local databases, and the Internet.

Grounding with Google Search uses the last source to find verifiable information. Developers can now use top results from Google Search to compare the information returned by the Gemini AI models. The Mountain View-based tech giant claims that this exercise will improve the “accuracy, reliability, and usefulness of AI outputs.”

The method also helps AI models surpass their knowledge cut-off date by sourcing the information directly from the grounding source. So, in this case, Gemini models can get the latest information using the Search algorithm’s output.

Google also shared an example of the difference in outputs that were grounded vs those which were not grounded. An ungrounded response to the query “Who won the Super Bowl this year?” was “The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII this year (2023).”

However, after the Grounding with Google Search feature was used, the refined response was, “The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII this year, defeating the San Francisco 49ers in overtime with a score of 25 to 22.” Notably, the feature only supports text-based outputs and cannot process multimodal responses.

Alphabet’s Google is testing showing check marks next to certain companies on its search results, a company spokesperson said on Friday, in a move aimed at helping users identify verified sources and steer clear of fake websites.

Fraudulent websites impersonating official businesses or services could creep up in online search results, leading users to view false information about the business, deceiving users and potentially harming the brand.

“We regularly experiment with features that help shoppers identify trustworthy businesses online, and we are currently running a small experiment showing checkmarks next to certain businesses on Google,” the spokesperson said.

Google already uses automated systems to identify pages with “scammy” or fraudulent content and prevent them from showing up in the search results.

The Verge reported the development earlier on Friday, adding that it spotted blue verified checkmarks next to official site links for companies including Microsoft, Meta and Apple on search results.

Only some users were able to see the feature, the Verge said, indicating Google has not rolled out the test widely yet.

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(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Google has reportedly begun showing ads on AI Overviews, the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) Search experience powered by Gemini. Previously known as Search Generative Experience (SGE), the feature was launched in the US earlier this year. In August, it was expanded to six more countries including India. The tech giant has started displaying relevant ads at the bottom of the interface, according to a report. Currently, the ads are only being shown to some users, but they are likely to be shown on all AI Overviews in the future.

Google AI Overviews Begins Showing Ads

The Verge reports that the Mountain View-based tech giant has rolled out advertisements in the AI Overviews. The move is not surprising as the company has been testing ads since May. It appears that the company has decided on the placement and nature of the ads.

According to the publication, these ads are based on the searched query. This means if a user searches for the best ballpoint pen, the AI-powered search experience will first show a list of factors to consider while purchasing a ballpoint pen. However, underneath that, users will now see a “sponsored” section where similar pens might appear with a clickable purchase link.

However, it appears these ads are not being mindlessly added. Google spokesperson Craig Ewer told The Verge that the ads on AI Overviews will only be visible if a query has a “commercial angle”. What this likely means is that an academic question will likely not show any sponsored product.

One of the reasons behind the rollout of the ads in AI Overviews is said to be Google’s belief that the feature can do an efficient job of connecting relevant businesses, products, and services with those who might need them. However, the ads are currently only being shown to US-based users on smartphones. There’s no word from the company on when might these ads will be rolled out in other regions.

In August, Google added a URL icon at the end of each paragraph in the summary. These icons prominently display the relevant websites which were cited in the information. Additionally, the particular sentence taken from the source is also highlighted. The tech giant said that it found that particular placement and format to give the maximum traffic to the source website.

Google has reportedly begun showing ads on AI Overviews, the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) Search experience powered by Gemini. Previously known as Search Generative Experience (SGE), the feature was launched in the US earlier this year. In August, it was expanded to six more countries including India. The tech giant has started displaying relevant ads at the bottom of the interface, according to a report. Currently, the ads are only being shown to some users, but they are likely to be shown on all AI Overviews in the future.

Google AI Overviews Begins Showing Ads

The Verge reports that the Mountain View-based tech giant has rolled out advertisements in the AI Overviews. The move is not surprising as the company has been testing ads since May. It appears that the company has decided on the placement and nature of the ads.

According to the publication, these ads are based on the searched query. This means if a user searches for the best ballpoint pen, the AI-powered search experience will first show a list of factors to consider while purchasing a ballpoint pen. However, underneath that, users will now see a “sponsored” section where similar pens might appear with a clickable purchase link.

However, it appears these ads are not being mindlessly added. Google spokesperson Craig Ewer told The Verge that the ads on AI Overviews will only be visible if a query has a “commercial angle”. What this likely means is that an academic question will likely not show any sponsored product.

One of the reasons behind the rollout of the ads in AI Overviews is said to be Google’s belief that the feature can do an efficient job of connecting relevant businesses, products, and services with those who might need them. However, the ads are currently only being shown to US-based users on smartphones. There’s no word from the company on when might these ads will be rolled out in other regions.

In August, Google added a URL icon at the end of each paragraph in the summary. These icons prominently display the relevant websites which were cited in the information. Additionally, the particular sentence taken from the source is also highlighted. The tech giant said that it found that particular placement and format to give the maximum traffic to the source website.