Google Says Open Web is Slowly Dying

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   Kenna McHughposted 2 months ago

   Sadly, this is indeed true, but fortuitously, because Google has acknowledged that AI will ultimately destroy the Internet.
   
   In a major change in tune, Google has admitted that the "open web is already in rapid decline" — despite being adamant for months that the "web is thriving."
   
   https://futurism.com/google-open-web-rapid-decline
   
   Barbara posted on another thread that paywalls or subscriptions thwart AI from stealing content. The question is: Is the public willing to pay for reliable sources, similar to paying for streaming platforms?

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      bravewarriorposted 2 months agoin reply to this

      I don't pay for sites that tell me I can read the entire article if I become a paying member. I'm already being nickel-and-dimed to death in the real world.

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         Kenna McHughposted 2 months agoin reply to this

         I hear you. But, it's where we're headed.

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   Genna Eastposted 2 months ago

   Disheartening but sadly true, especially regarding the “error-laden AI overviews,” and what has become Google's illegal, online-search monopoly.

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      Kenna McHughposted 2 months agoin reply to this

      True, Genna. That's why there will be pay walls.

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         Genna Eastposted 2 months agoin reply to this

         Yup…and I doubt that “AI responses may include mistakes’ -- the fine print beneath AI’s top-of-the page online search summaries -- will dissipate any time soon. Nor should it.

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   PaulGoodman67posted 2 months ago

   AI results will trump the old system of websites and search engines. Pretty much everyone who is anyone believes that. That's why all the investment from Google and others is going into AI.
   
   The idea is that AI learns, so bad query results are only a temporary problem.
   
   Search engines, including Google, were even worse than AI in the early days, but it didn't stop them taking over.

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   Solarasposted 2 months ago

   Don't imagine AI results will stay free forever. The utopian Internet is dead, however there may be room for other sites once everything is paywall protected. Google cannot kill their business and not find a new revenue stream. They are giving it away now to get people inculcated to Gemini. I expect that to change in the near future.

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      Kenna McHughposted 2 months agoin reply to this

      Barbara, I agree. Google is evolving, continually.

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      PaulGoodman67posted 2 months agoin reply to this

      Google's search engine was always "free" in the sense that you didn't pay a fee (they had advertising and collected valuable user data, of course).
      
      I disagree with you about Google charging for AI general use and see AI following a broadly similar structure to previous search technology in the foreseeable future.
      
      As things stand, if Google started charging a fee, people would move to other AI because Gemini isn't significantly better than the competition, in my experience.
      
      People underestimate the value of the data that these companies collect. It dwarfs anything that can be collected from advertising and fees.

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         Solarasposted 2 months agoin reply to this

         The value of the data is directly realized through advertising revenue.
         
         I expect that we will have to pay for everything on the Internet, all LLMs, Newspapers, Magazines, Britannica, and Medical information sites etc. Why would they give it away for free if they can charge and have ads too? It's the original model. You buy the magazine and it is full of ads.
         
         The NYSE reaching incredible highs is only based on the expectation of how much money is to be made by AI, and not because it is free for everyone. No, the plan must be to monetize it and further widen the gap between rich and poor.

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            Genna Eastposted 2 months agoin reply to this

            I agree with both you and Kenna, Barbara.  Monetization will not be ignored.

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            PaulGoodman67posted 2 months agoin reply to this

            Solaras, I feel you do the bait and switch arguments. You talk about one topic and then switch, if anyone disagrees.
            
            The implication is that you see your original position as too weak to defend.
            
            Obviously, people currently pay for subscriptions to newspapers. But you were talking about Google Search, not specialist medical sites.
            
            There's a saying in the tech world that if a product's free, then you are the product.
            
            What it means is that user data is often more valuable to tech companies than any form of fee or advertising revenue.

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            Kenna McHughposted 2 months agoin reply to this

            I agree, Barbara.

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   Miebakagh57posted 2 months ago

   Despite the mistakes AI may bring along with search, AI is still stupid and unreasonable.
   Recently, I was downloading a Video player for my PC. And this prompt to instal free Chapt GPT browser comes up. I just hit the 'X' and send it to it's makers.
   Google is now waking up from sleep, I presume?

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