Since ChatGPT’s emergence in 2022, investors have speculated about the potential impact on Google. Specifically, what happens if users increasingly rely on AI engines instead of Google’s search engine? Recently, Apple’s Eddy Cue revealed that searches on Safari experienced their first-ever decline in April, attributing this to AI usage. Cue made this statement during a federal antitrust lawsuit against Alphabet, noting Apple’s $20 billion annual revenue from Google for setting it as the default search engine on its devices. He also mentioned Apple’s intention to incorporate AI engines as search alternatives over time. Cue believes that AI providers like OpenAI and Perplexity AI will eventually replace traditional search engines. While these options may not become the default, they will likely be added to Safari’s list. This development partly explains why investors are investing heavily in AI companies, hoping to capture some of Google’s market share. Google has responded by transforming itself into an AI company, integrating its Gemini AI engine into searches. Despite these efforts, Google’s stock fell over 9% in afternoon trading. — new from Business Insider
