AI Changes How We Search Online

The way people search for information online is evolving. Many are now turning to AI-powered tools like ChatGPT instead of traditional search engines like Google. These large language models (LLMs) are becoming increasingly popular for answering everyday questions and providing recommendations.

Anja-Sara Lahady, a lawyer and legal technology consultant from Montreal, Canada, exemplifies this trend. She uses AI for various tasks, from deciding what to cook to choosing outfits. Lahady finds AI more efficient for these 'admin tasks' compared to spending time on Google searches.

While Google remains the dominant search engine, the use of LLMs is growing rapidly. According to research, the percentage of desktop browser searches going to LLMs more than doubled in a year. Experts suggest that people prefer LLMs because they reduce the 'cognitive load' by providing concise, synthesized information instead of multiple search results.