Apple Plans to Add AI Search Options to Safari Browser

Apple plans to add artificial intelligence-powered search options to its Safari browser in a big blow to Google, whose lucrative advertising business relies significantly on iPhone customers using its search engine.

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WASHINGTON -

The news slammed shares of Google parent Alphabet, which plunged 7.3 percent on May 7, wiping off roughly US$150 billion (S$194 billion) from its market value.

The iPhone maker was "actively looking at" reshaping Safari, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, citing Apple executive Eddy Cue, who was offering testimony at an antitrust case on May 7 over Google's dominance in online search.

Mr. Cue said searches on Safari fell for the first time in April owing to users increasingly turning to AI, according to the source. Apple stock closed down 1.1 percent.

Google said it continued to see growth in the overall number of search queries, including "total queries coming from Apple's devices and platforms," according to a statement posted on the company's blog.

"People are seeing that Google Search is more useful for more of their queries — and they're accessing it for new things and in new ways," the company wrote.

Google cited voice and visual search features as contributors to total search volume growth.