Gmail Creator Claims ChatGPT's Growing Popularity Will Be Google's Downfall

OpenAI's ChatGPT has grown immensely popular, and it raised concerns from experts that it would compromise Google's search engine business. In fact, the creator of Gmail himself, Paul Buchheit, thinks that the search giant will lose its steam in a year or two because of ChatGPT, reported first by Interesting Engineering.

A Year or Two Away

"Google may be only a year or two away from total disruption. AI will eliminate the Search Engine Result Page, which is where they make most of their money," Buchheit said in a tweet.

"Even if they catch up on AI, they can't fully deploy it without destroying the most valuable part of their business!"

The Gmail creator envisions a scenario where the URL or search bar of Google will be replaced with AI autocompleting any question or thought that comes from the user. This makes AI more effective in providing the best answers for websites, products, and more.

He adds that AI will then utilize the old search engine backend to collect information and links that will all be summarized for the user. He likens this to asking a professional human researcher some questions, but the difference is that the software can immediately heed someone's request compared to a human.

He also used Google used an example of how it "killed" The Yellow Pages, saying that it "used to be a great business, but then Google got so good that everyone stopped using the yellow pages."

"AI will do the same thing to web search."

Google's Rival: Bing

On the other side of things, Google's rival Bing may benefit from the advancement brought by ChatGPT. This is because speculations that OpenAi's partnership with Microsoft will improve Bing's search engine have now arisen.

In an interview with CNET, Anton Korinek from the University of Virginia said that ChatGPT's immense popularity could "upend Google's market dominance."

Microsoft is set to integrate ChatGPT for its goods and offers; if this happens with Bing, it might significantly enhance its search capabilities.

Microsoft was transparent about how it would use the OpenAI tools to improve its future technologies and products, and it has particular considerations for ChatGPT.

However, Microsoft has announced anything about Bing and how ChatGPT may affect its operations.

During ChatGPT's first weeks, it quickly became popular with the general public, especially among those who got amazing results from their content requests and keyword searches.

The AI program largely received excellent feedback, but according to its developers at OpenAI, its current version is still not minted for anything significant.