A Google search executive countered concerns that its AI-driven search could negatively impact web publishers and its advertising sector, describing the technology as an "expansionary moment" for the internet.

During the Reuters NEXT conference in New York, Robby Stein, Google's vice president of product for Search, responded to worries that the company's initiatives to offer more AI-driven features—providing direct answers to questions—might lessen traffic to outside websites.

"Every single day, Google generates billions and billions of clicks, and the number of outgoing clicks remains mostly consistent." "That aspect isn't altering," Stein stated, noting that innovative search methods, like utilizing phone cameras or posing lengthy, intricate questions, are generating new possibilities. "We believe that will be expansionary in the long run." "The pie is expanding extremely, extremely quickly."

Stein also aimed to ease investor worries that a transition to conversational AI might disrupt Google's profitable advertising model. He likened the present shift to the move from desktop to mobile, asserting that advertising will adapt to accommodate the new format.

Advertisements in an AI chat setting can be "extremely beneficial," he mentioned, referencing a case where a user dealing with a raccoon issue was presented with pertinent products.

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Stein's remarks surfaced alongside reports indicating that competitor OpenAI had issued a "code red" to enhance ChatGPT in response to increasing competition from Google. The technology behemoth Alphabet seems to have dismissed initial dangers to its main operations by introducing varied experiences, launching innovative models, and creating viral products like its image-generating tool Nano Banana. Google's shares have increased almost 67 percent this year, driven by expansion in its cloud division.

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Stein's comments push back against an increasing storyline from media outlets suggesting that AI will drastically reduce their audience and income, while simultaneously calming Wall Street that Google's essential profit engine is safe as it updates its main offering.

"Stein mentioned that Google prioritizes the web above all others," referring to AI as a "robust discovery tool" that will assist users in exploring further by connecting them to sources.

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When questioned about whether Google felt "unrestricted" to innovate following a U.S. antitrust decision that permits Google to retain its Chrome browser, Stein minimized the case's significance.

"The innovation and excitement are being driven by the model's capabilities," he stated.