In a significant development, Google has announced the global expansion of its Search Generative Experience (SGE), an AI-powered search feature that provides generative AI summaries at the top of the search results page. The expansion includes users in 120 countries and territories, making it accessible to a much wider audience.

After its initial launch at I/O 2023, SGE has gradually rolled out to different regions and languages. Initially available for English language searches in the US, the feature later expanded to English-language users in India and Japan. Now, users in countries ranging from Brazil to Bhutan will have the opportunity to explore the enhanced search experience. SGE now supports Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, and Indonesian, in addition to existing languages English, Hindi, and Japanese. This means users can search and converse with the AI assistant in multiple languages.

One of the notable updates is the improved follow-up function, which allows users to ask additional questions directly on the search results page. This mini-Bard window embedded in the generated summary enables users to delve deeper into a topic without leaving the page or manually typing out queries. To avoid confusion, Google will limit ads to specific areas of the page, clearly distinguishing them from the generated content.

The expansion of SGE also introduces a feature that aids in clarifying ambiguous translation terms. For example, if a user wants to translate the phrase "Is there a tie?" into Spanish, the context and intention can significantly influence the translation outcome. Recognizing such nuances, SGE will highlight ambiguous words and provide users with options to choose from, ensuring accurate translations. This feature will initially be available to English language users in the US.

Additionally, Google plans to expand the interactive definitions found in the generated summaries. Originally focused on educational topics like science, history, and economics, these interactive definitions will now cover coding and health-related searches as well. This update, set to arrive within the next month, will first be available to English language users in the US before expanding to more regions.

With these new features and enhancements, Google aims to provide users with a more intuitive and interactive search experience. By expanding SGE to a broader user base and supporting additional languages, Google is making its AI-powered search assistant accessible to millions around the world.

As Google continues to iterate on this technology, users can expect further advancements and improvements to the SGE in the future. The company remains committed to refining its search capabilities and catering to the diverse needs of its global user community.