Google eyeing fees for Al-run search features

Proposal would mark first time one of tech giant’s core products goes behind paywall

- 

Google is considering charging for new "premium" features run by artificial intelligence (AI), the Financial Times (FT) reported, marking the first time it would put any of its core products behind a paywall.

The tech giant is mulling over options such as adding certain AI search features to its premium subscription services, FT reported, citing three unnamed people familiar with the plans.

Engineers are developing the technology to roll out the service, but executives have not decided whether or when to launch it, according to the report.

Google's ubiquitous search engine would continue to be free and ads would appear alongside search results, even to subscribers, FT said.

"We're continuing to rapidly improve the product to serve new user needs," a spokesperson said.

"We're not working on or considering an ad-free search experience.