How does AI work differently than Google or other search engines?

Google Search Engine has its own algorithm to provide relevant search results – information already accessible on the internet – based on keywords and phrases in the user’s request. Consequently, users need to be strategic on what they input in the search bar to optimize the chance of getting the information they wanted. They first need to identify keywords related to their request and then search accordingly. On the other hand, Large Language models are trained upon the data fed to it. Its responses are catered to each request based on its cumulative intelligence, not just taking published information on the internet. Additionally, unlike Google, it does not only rely on keywords to understand your request but also uses natural language processing algorithms to analyze the context and intent behind the entire request.

However, this is also one of the major weaknesses of ChatGPT. Unlike Google, the user is not in control of the sources where the information is being provided by. This is why AI is not accepted as a credible source that can be cited in coursework or research projects. Instead, you can first verify the accuracy of the information by using reliable sources and then use those sources for citation.