Google is working hastily to develop a new AI-powered search engine as it faces intensifying competition from Microsoft Bing and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, according to a report from the New York Times. The urgency was heightened when Samsung reportedly considered making Bing the default search engine on its devices, potentially costing Google a $3 billion contract.

Project Magi: Google’s Answer to AI Competition

In an effort to keep up with AI developments and retain its search engine dominance, Google is upgrading its existing search platform as part of a project called Magi. The New York Times reveals that around 160 employees are working in “sprint rooms” to finalize updates, focusing on areas such as increased personalization.

New Features and Chatbot Capabilities

Google is also developing a chatbot capable of answering software engineering questions and generating code snippets. The tech giant has experimented with a feature that would enable users to search for music through chatbot conversations. Other additions include “Searchalong,” a Chrome feature that provides contextual information by scanning the webpage being read by the user, and experimental features “GIFI” and “Tivoli Tutor,” which generate images and facilitate language learning through chatbot conversations.

Magi’s Launch Timeline and Expansion Plans

The company is reportedly planning to announce Magi next month, with additional features set to be introduced in the fall. Google intends to offer Magi’s features to one million users in the US initially, with plans to expand to 30 million users by the end of the year. Google’s search agreement with Samsung, worth approximately $3 billion annually, and its search agreement with Apple, which is subject to antitrust scrutiny, are both up for renewal this year.