Brave Search Introduces AI-Powered Answers for Enhanced User Experience
On Wednesday, Brave, the privacy-centric search engine, unveiled its revamped answer engine, which now incorporates AI-generated synthesized answers. This new feature, accessible to users worldwide, aims to provide concise and well-structured responses to various queries.
Versatile and Informative Answers
The “Answer with AI” feature offers users neatly organized answers to a wide range of questions, such as:
- “Astronauts who have set foot on the lunar surface”
- “Comprehensive list of actors who have portrayed the role of Batman”
- “Step-by-step guide to descaling a Nespresso Pixie coffee machine”
Additionally, the AI-powered answer engine can provide summaries of reviews and highlight key points for establishments like restaurants.
Image Credits: Brave
Building on Previous Successes
In March 2023, Brave introduced an AI-powered summarization feature. The company states that the new AI-powered search represents a significant upgrade from its predecessor, offering users an enhanced experience when seeking information.
Automatic and Manual AI Search Options
For informational queries, such as those related to the new answer engine, Brave will automatically employ AI to deliver information in a summarized format. In other cases, users have the option to manually trigger an AI search for their desired results.
Image Credits: Brave
Leveraging Large Language Models and Reliable Data
Brave, which transitioned to using its own index for search queries in the previous year, revealed that the “Answer with AI” feature utilizes a blend of large language models (LLMs) and reliable data. The company employs a combination of Mixtral 8x7B and Mistral 7B as primary models, along with custom transformer models for semantic matching and answering.
“The user only needs to enter a query as they are used to doing with a regular search engine. The query will then be internally converted to an LLM prompt using the data from search results as context to the prompt, with typical RAG (retrieval augmented generation).”
Josep Pujol, Brave’s head of search, explained the process in an email to The Zero Byte.
Image Credits: Brave
Addressing Potential Challenges
Several reports have highlighted the potential negative impact of AI-powered search on the future of the web. Brave, which handles over 10 billion queries annually, acknowledges that while users are increasingly demanding AI-augmented answers and new methods of content consumption, this approach may have detrimental effects on publishers creating content for the web.
Brave stated that they will monitor and quantify the impact of AI-generated content on site visits and address any disruptions that may arise from a drop in traffic.
The Evolving Landscape of AI-Powered Search
Other search engines, such as Google and Bing, have also embraced AI-powered answers through various experiments. Meanwhile, startups like Perplexity and You.com are competing to become the preferred answer engine for users.
6 Comments
AI stepping into search, huh? Brace yourselves, the era of asking your browser where you left your keys might just be upon us!
So Brave’s jumping on the AI bandwagon; guess my keyboard’s about to become a museum piece.
AI’s taking over Brave Search? Hope it doesn’t start suggesting I’m interested in alien conspiracy theories…again.
AI in search now, what’s next, robots organizing our bookshelves?
Oh, Brave’s adding AI? My search results better come with popcorn given this show!
Looks like Brave wants to play in the big leagues; wonder if it’ll outsmart my cat’s YouTube searches.