The launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 marked a turning point in how people interact with search technology, and while ChatGPT's conversational abilities captivated many, it lacked one major thing, access to real-time information.
This gap led to the emergence of several AI-powered search engines that incorporate generative AI to provide up-to-date answers based on current internet content. This article delves into the top AI search engines, according to tech experts on ZDNET.
Top AI Search Engines of 2024
Perplexity AI
Perplexity AI is recognized as the best overall AI search engine due to its seamless integration of chatbot functionalities and traditional search features.
The interface resembles that of an AI chatbot but includes prompt suggestions based on current events, enhancing user experience.
Users receive concise, bulleted answers with footnotes and links to sources, along with a "related" section for further exploration. It’s free to use without requiring an account.
ChatGPT Search
For those who prefer the familiar interface of ChatGPT, this search feature provides real-time information while retaining the chatbot's conversational style.
With this tool, you can enter your sentence as your train of thought takes you, and the tool understands context through its natural language processing (NLP) capabilities.
A $20 (R361) subscription is required for full access, which includes additional perks like Voice Mode, image generation and Canvas
Microsoft Bing
Microsoft collaborated with OpenAI to integrate Copilot chatbot into its search engine, resulting in a significant increase in daily active users, over 40 million during the past year.
With the integration of Copilot in Bing, users experience high-quality responses, however the AI insights are presented in a non-intrusive manner, allowing users to focus on traditional search results while still benefiting from AI-enhanced information which can be accessed on the box off the side of the screen.
Microsoft Bing is free to use.
Google (Search Generative Experience)
Google has introduced Search Generative Experience (SGE), its own generative AI features, which means that when you type a search query into Google that could be optimized by AI insights, Google will automatically show you the AI overviews at the top of search results.
This approach may not be preferred by everyone because it pushes organic results down the page, however it offers a familiar interface for loyal Google users looking to enhance their search experience.
Brave Search
Brave Search’s appeal as a search engine comes from the increased focus on privacy and security it offers users while integrating generative AI capabilities.
It blocks trackers and ads, enhancing browsing speed and battery life while providing answers that are generated based on Brave's independent search index without relying on Google or Bing.
You can download the Brave browser to your computer for the full experience, or alternatively, can also use Brave Search in any browser by visiting its site.