This Week in AI: Google Tests AI-Only Search Results

Since its inception, Google has been known for the quick and relevant list of links it provides whenever people search for something on the internet. But those links may soon become a thing of the past.

The internet giant is reportedly testing an "AI Mode" for its search results, effectively replacing the links to other websites that its namesake search service is known for with a computer-generated summary of relevant information, gleaned from the web. The move would potentially consolidate attention and power of the billions of people who use Google each day away from other websites, and instead keep them within Google's own services.

Though significant, Google's move isn't much of a surprise. The company began offering AI Summaries to its search results last year, and promised to continue experimenting despite criticism from people who found instances where the technology spread misinformation or questionable cooking advice advice.

Google's AI Mode raises new questions about the economics of the internet as well. Google has acted as effectively a chief librarian of the web, with a mission built around being the starting point for anyone's internet activity. So, what happens when the library stops recommending books and simply reads you the CliffsNotes version instead? 

Google on iPhone home screens

Google search isn't the only place the company's pushing more of its AI. Google is also expanding its Gemini app for iPhones, allowing people to interact with the chatbot directly from the lock screen.

People can add Google's new Gemini "widget" to their lock screen through an update to the free Gemini app. 9to5Google said the new feature allows users to type a prompt, hold a conversation, use their camera and more. People can also add these widgets to their iPhone's unlocked home screens and control centers as well, if they prefer.

Apple adds M4 to MacBook Air 

Spring is just around the corner, and that means birds chirping, flowers blooming and, most importantly, new laptops touting artificial intelligence features. Over the past week, computer manufacturers have announced a series of device upgrades they say will provide better battery life and of course more AI features.

From Apple, upgrades included the M4-powered MacBook Air, which the company said provides up to 18 hours of battery life, a 12MP camera, and a base design of 16GB of unified memory, starting at $999. Of course, a key to that announcement is inclusion of Apple Intelligence, as well as the ability to power up to two 6K external displays.

Perhaps the biggest news for Apple's AI moves came from its upgraded Mac Studio, which starts at $1,999 for 32GB of memory, 512GB SSD storage, and an M4 Max chip. Configurations can go up to an M3 Ultra chip, which offers a 32-core CPU, 80-core GPU and 32-core Neural Engine, plus 512GB of memory and 16TB of storage. 

Other announcements this week included Lenovo, which announced its new Yoga and IdeaPad AI laptops at the Mobile World Congress this week in Barcelona. It also showed off a concept laptop called the Lenovo Yoga Solar, which has a solar panel attached to the back of its screen. Lenovo said its laptop can absorb enough sunlight in 20 minutes to power up to one hour of video playback.

Google pushing 60-hour weeks for Gemini engineers 

Technology moves fast, and so does tech culture. Google was known for its "20 percent time" rule, where employees were encouraged to spend a roughly a day out of each week exploring passion projects. Those efforts created products like Google News and the AdSense targeted ad service.

Fast forward to 2025, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin now says a 60-hour work week is the "sweet spot of productivity" for employees working on Gemini AI. In a memo seen by The New York Times, Brin urged the tech giant's employees to come into the office "at least" every weekday to help push for more AI breakthroughs. "Competition has accelerated immensely," he reportedly added. "I think we have all the ingredients to win this race, but we are going to have to turbocharge our efforts."

Apple's Siri overhaul may be delayed

When Apple announced its Apple Intelligence service last summer, it highlighted changes coming to the Siri voice assistant that would allow people to hold natural conversations with it, and interact with apps without touching their phone. Now, Bloomberg reports that Apple is running behind, and that a more realized AI-enhanced version may not arrive until 2027. "With the rapid pace of development from rivals and startups, Apple could be even further behind by then," Bloomberg's Apple reporter Mark Gurman posted on X. 

New GPUs for AI and gaming dominate the week

This past week saw two major GPU launches, with the NVIDIA 5070 and AMD 9070/9070 XT. Besides gaming, these components are ideal for running AI applications, offering high TOPS (terra operations per second) compared to CPUs alone. With high demand for these GPU cards, we'll likely see even more hardware capable of running AI models on your local PC, which has advantages for data security and customization.  

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Ian Sherr is a widely published journalist who's covered nearly every major tech company from Apple to Netflix, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and more for CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and CNET. Aside from writing, he tinkers with tech at home, is a longtime fencer -- the kind with swords -- and began woodworking during the pandemic.