At the 2023 Google I/O event in May, Google launched an experimental Search feature called the Search Generative Experience (SGE) through Google Labs. Designed to enhance queries with AI-generated summaries, SGE marked a significant move by Google to address advancements in generative AI, especially following OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT, which alarmed Google executives over its potential threat to Google’s search dominance. In October 2023, Google expanded SGE’s capabilities by adding AI-generated image creation, further enriching the user experience and showcasing its commitment to integrating advanced AI in search. At the 2024 Google I/O conference, the feature was rebranded and significantly upgraded as AI Overviews, officially launched in the U. S. in May 2024. However, initial rollout faced widespread criticism due to numerous errors that quickly went viral—examples included bizarre and unsafe advice like adding glue to pizza or eating rocks, as well as factual mistakes such as incorrectly labeling former President Barack Obama as Muslim. Google defended these as isolated incidents and maintained most AI-generated summaries remained accurate and reliable. In response to backlash, Google swiftly implemented technical fixes and scaled back AI Overviews’ scope two weeks after launch, temporarily suspending health-related queries and limiting reliance on social media sources to improve content trustworthiness.

The system also attracted environmental criticism; Scientific American reported that AI-driven searches consume roughly 30 times more energy than traditional searches, raising concerns about the ecological cost of large-scale AI deployment in popular online services. Furthermore, AI Overviews drew scrutiny over their impact on content consumption. By summarizing information from multiple sources, the feature potentially reduces users’ visits to full articles and websites, challenging publishers who rely on web traffic for advertising and subscriptions. Danielle Coffey, CEO of the News/Media Alliance, warned in May 2024 that AI Overviews could be “catastrophic to our traffic, ” as users might no longer click through to original content, harming news monetization. Despite challenges, Google continued international expansion of AI Overviews. In August 2024, it launched in the UK, India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil, supporting local languages to broaden accessibility. By October 28, 2024, AI Overviews had rolled out to 100 more countries, including Australia and New Zealand, underscoring Google’s determination to embed AI-based search features globally and maintain technological leadership despite ongoing debates regarding accuracy, environmental impact, and effects on the digital content ecosystem. The journey of AI Overviews embodies the transformative promise of generative AI in online search, offering efficient information synthesis and improved user convenience while simultaneously raising critical concerns about misinformation, content monetization, and environmental sustainability. As the feature matures and spreads, these challenges will continue to be pivotal issues for developers, users, industry players, and policymakers shaping the future of digital information access.