Google is planning to enhance its virtual assistant, the Google Assistant, by incorporating generative AI technology. An internal email obtained by Axios reveals that the company aims to keep its Assistant relevant amidst the rise of virtual assistants like ChatGPT and Bard. While Google previously focused on basic AI features for its Assistant, it is now shifting its attention towards generative AI to upgrade the Assistant’s capabilities.
Amidst the changing landscape, Google has recognized the trend and begun work on revamping its Assistant with generative AI capabilities. Initially, the focus will be on the mobile version of the product. However, it’s important to note that Google isn’t completely abandoning its existing approach. The internal email suggests that the company intends to support both old and new approaches to Assistant.
As part of this new vision, Google plans to reorganize its Assistant team. The email mentions that certain roles within the Assistant division will be eliminated, leading to the termination of several employees. The exact number of individuals affected by these reorganization efforts is yet to be disclosed by the company.
According to the email, Assistant team leads perceive a significant opportunity in exploring the potential of a supercharged Assistant empowered by generative AI capabilities. While details regarding the specific features that Google plans to add to Assistant remain unclear, there is speculation that the technology behind Bard, which enables Assistant to search and provide answers based on web content, could be utilized.
By employing generative AI, Google aims to enhance the capabilities and functionality of its Assistant. The company’s strategic approach emphasizes the importance of adapting to the evolving market and maintaining its competitive edge. While the exact timeline for these updates is yet to be revealed, these efforts signify Google’s commitment to advancing its virtual assistant technology and offering users a more dynamic and intelligent Assistant experience in the future.
