Google could charge users for some of its AI-related services in what would be the biggest shake-up of its commercial model.
The search giant, which is owned by Alphabet, has never before put any of its core products behind a paywall.
However, the company is grappling with how to capitalise on the artificial intelligence revolution in technology without threatening its advertising business, which funds its search engine.
It also faces stiff competition from Microsoft-backed ChatGPT and the likes of Elon Musk’s xAI project.
The Telegraph reports that bosses are considering charging for new “premium” features powered by AI.
It is reportedly weighing up whether to add some AI-powered search features to its premium subscription services, which already offer access to its new Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs.
A Google spokesman said: “We’re not working on or considering an ad-free search experience.
“As we’ve done many times before, we’ll continue to build new premium capabilities and services to enhance our subscription offerings across Google. We don’t have anything to announce right now.”
Google added: “For years, we’ve been reinventing Search to help people access information in the way that’s most natural to them.
“With our generative AI experiments in Search, we’ve already served billions of queries, and we’re seeing positive Search query growth in all of our major markets. We’re continuing to rapidly improve the product to serve new user needs.”
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