Google does not know how its search will change in the era of artificial intelligence

Google Search Leader Liz Ried on the Future of Search and AI

Liz Ried, head of Google Search, claims that a clear boundary between traditional web search and new AI assistants has not yet been established. According to her, user behavior models are changing, and the web environment is being reshaped by AI agents.

1. Differences Between Google Search and Gemini
In an interview for *Access Podcast*, Ried explained:

- Google Search is an “information product” that helps people find data on the internet.
- Gemini focuses on boosting users’ productivity and creativity.

She noted that the boundaries between these services are blurred, especially as AI products accelerate and online interaction habits shift.

> “In some areas they converge; in others they diverge. What will happen in the end? Will all differences reconcile or will the gap only widen? Time will tell,” says Liz Ried.
> “A third product might emerge that combines them; I don’t know yet.”

2. The Future of AI Agent Interaction
Liz Ried is confident that in the near future the number of interactions between agents across the web will increase. She envisions a world where “agents will communicate with each other, not just with people,” and believes this will become normal.

3. Competition with ChatGPT
Regarding the battle with OpenAI, the Google Search head emphasized that one player’s victory “won’t mean total domination.” She predicts the emergence of many AI systems that will complement each other, allowing users to employ an ever-growing array of tools. This indicates that Google has not yet finalized its role as a search engine in an ecosystem where attention is shifting toward artificial intelligence.

In short: Liz Ried sees Google Search as an “information” service and Gemini as a productivity tool. The lines between them are blurred, and the future promises increased AI agent interaction and new products that may combine or replace existing solutions.