Google is increasingly integrating generative AI into its primary products, particularly in Search. Despite facing some initial challenges in the U.S., AI Overviews have expanded globally, reaching over 100 countries by the end of last year. Similarly, AI Mode, which started with limited access, gained broader availability in June through Google Labs. Now, Google appears set to extend these AI-powered summaries to other areas, including the Discover feed.
Recent updates indicate that the Discover feed is undergoing a transformation. Instead of displaying only one outlet’s logo and name, some cards now feature a cluster of overlapping icons in the top-left corner, each representing different sources that contributed to the summary. Users can tap on these icons to access a “More” panel that lists all the articles involved. The initiative appears to have begun in early June when DiscoverSnoop, an analytics platform, found that Google was testing AI-generated summaries in the Discover feed, initially focusing on video content.
In those trials, select videos were accompanied by a concise AI-written description above the thumbnail, offering a brief three-line overview. Users who wanted more information could click “More” to see a longer description of about ten lines. The latest testing phase continues this approach, allowing users to view a three-line snippet before tapping “See more” for the complete summary. A subtle but important note at the bottom states, “Generated with AI, which can make mistakes.” The preview image is sourced from the first article in the group, with its headline located below.
These AI-generated summaries utilize Google’s experimental AI Overviews system, which has experienced some turbulence in the Search feature. The effectiveness of these summaries will ultimately depend on how accurately Google maintains their quality. Additionally, these summaries are now available on both Android and iOS, alongside an upgraded bookmarking feature designed to enhance user experience by simplifying the saving process.
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