Alphabet’s Google Mulls Charging for Generative AI Search Engine Enhancements, According to Financial Times

Alphabet’s shares fell 1% after hours as Google considers a paywall for the first time for core products to compete in AI. Its traditional search engine remains free, with ads for even subscribers. Google is contending with OpenAI and Microsoft in the AI race, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

In an emailed statement to Reuters, the company said:

“We’re not working on or considering an ad-free search experience. As we’ve done many times before, we’ll continue to build new premium capabilities and services to enhance our subscription offerings across Google.”