Google is set to replace its long-standing search term definitions feature with AI Overviews, which are artificial intelligence-generated insights. The change, which is currently undergoing A/B testing, has sparked a strong backlash among users, largely because of what the new AI insights lack.
Since the year 2009 it was possible to simply get the definition of a word by typing “define [word]” or adding “meaning” after the search term. The result was a rich dictionary box with source from Oxford Languages, pronunciation, word origin, synonyms, translations and even a graph of the development of word usage over time (Ngram).
New AI insights from Google instead they display brief summary of the meaning of the word, often without additional informationmacUsers on Reddit are complaining that lacks clear pronunciation, translations, history of the word and popular synonym systemThere is also no option yet to switch back to the original dictionary format.
Although the test appears to have been running for several months, a new wave of comments suggests it is starting to spread to more accounts. "I hate AI. Gone are the days when synonyms would take me down linguistic rabbit holes and help me learn new words," writes one of the frustrated users.
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Google has yet to comment on the test, but if AI insights become the default, it could spell the end of one of its most useful features. Google SearchAnd unfortunately, in recent months, it seems that Google is increasingly moving towards various AI solutions and putting other functions on the back burner.
