VOA科学技术2024--How to Use AI Tools to Improve Quality of Internet Searches

How to Use AI Tools to Improve Quality of Internet Searches

　　Internet search companies have already built artificial intelligence (AI) tools into their systems. And the use of AI systems to support internet searches is expected to grow sharply in coming years.

　　Some technology experts feel this change can greatly improve the overall search experience for users. But experts also have concerns.

　　One early user, or adopter, of AI search is Google. The American-based company's search engine currently processes an estimated 80 percent of the world's internet search requests.

　　Microsoft's search engine Bing also includes AI-powered results. Bing's AI system is linked to the company's Copilot service. Copilot is an AI tool designed to operate across a series of Microsoft business products.

　　Copilot is based on OpenAI's ChatGPT, which launched in late 2022. ChatGPT is a computer-powered AI tool designed to interact smoothly¹ with humans.

　　Such AI tools – known as "chatbots" or "generative AI" – are trained on massive amounts of internet data. They have shown an ability to perform human-level writing and create high-quality images and videos based on short, written descriptions.

　　But these AI systems have also demonstrated possible risks. One risk is the tools can present false or misleading information as truth. They can also produce results that represent long-standing biases² against minorities or underrepresented communities.

　　Here, we offer some guidance for users seeking new systems to provide improved and relevant search results.

　　Where do I find AI search tools?

　　Some major search companies have made it easy to find AI search engines on their main search pages.

　　Google's search system is powered by its own chatbot tool, called Gemini. It can easily be found directly on desktop³ or mobile phone browsers⁴. Gemini can be used to perform other chatbot actions as well as providing search assistance.

　　Google also has been testing a new search offering, called "Search Generative Experience." It replaces links with AI-produced briefs containing basic facts about a subject. This system is currently limited to U.S. users who sign up through Google's experimental Labs site.

　　To use AI with Microsoft's Bing search engine, simply click the Chat or Copilot button underneath⁵ the main search window. This should pull up an information box where users can enter their search requests.

　　New AI search sites have also launched. But they are not as easy to find. The Associated Press reports one way to find them is to perform searches for tools on Copilot or Gemini. Some to look out for include Perplexity, HuggingChat, You.com, Komo, Andi, Phind, Exa and AskAI.

　　Do I have to sign up for or pay for these services?

　　Most of these services have free versions. But generally, there are limits on how many searches a user can make. Users can also upgrade from basic services to higher levels providing smarter AI tools and more search possibilities.

　　Gemini users, for example, can pay $20 for an upgraded version that offers its "most capable" model, called Ultra 1.0.

　　Most of the startup sites are largely free to use and don't require setting up an account. Many also have upgrade possibilities.

　　What are the results like?

　　Unlike a traditional Google search, results from AI tools usually produce a longer, readable collection of information. Sometimes, the original source of information is also included. And in some cases, messages are included to warn users about possible misinformation appearing in the results.

　　It is a good idea to try out different AI tools. Results from each can differ, sometimes wildly. The AP reports that results from AI-assisted search tools can be especially useful when searching for more obscure facts or information.

　　Words in This Story

　　relevant – adj. related to or useful to what is happening or being talked about

　　upgrade – n. an improvement to something that is higher quality or a newer model

　　capable – adj. able to do something

　　original – adj. where something begins

　　obscure – adj. not known by many people

1 smoothly   

adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地

参考例句：

• The workmen are very cooperative,so the work goes on smoothly.工人们十分合作，所以工作进展顺利。
• Just change one or two words and the sentence will read smoothly.这句话只要动一两个字就顺了。

2 biases   

偏见( bias的名词复数 )； 偏爱； 特殊能力； 斜纹

参考例句：

• Stereotypes represent designer or researcher biases and assumptions, rather than factual data. 它代表设计师或者研究者的偏见和假设，而不是实际的数据。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
• The net effect of biases on international comparisons is easily summarized. 偏差对国际比较的基本影响容易概括。

3 desktop   

n.桌面管理系统程序；台式

参考例句：

• My computer is a desktop computer of excellent quality.我的计算机是品质卓越的台式计算机。
• Do you know which one is better,a laptop or a desktop?你知道哪一种更好，笔记本还是台式机？

4 browsers   

浏览器

参考例句：

• Three-layer architecture is a model made up of browser, web server and background database server. 这种体系结构是由Browser、Web Server、Database Server组成的浏览器／Web服务器／后台数据库服务器三层模型。 来自互联网
• Another excellent approach is to abandon the browser entirely and, instead, create a non-browser-based, Internet-enabled application. 另一个非常好的方法是干脆放弃浏览器，取而代之，创建一个不基于浏览器，但却是基于互联网的应用。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

5 underneath   

adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面

参考例句：

• Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
• She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。