Apple to Integrate AI Search Engines into Safari

Apple Considers Integrating AI Search into Safari

According to a report by Bloomberg published on Wednesday, Apple is currently exploring the possibility of incorporating AI-powered search engines into its Safari browser.

The potential integrations include search capabilities from prominent AI developers such as OpenAI, Perplexity, and Anthropic.

Details from the Justice Department Lawsuit

This information was revealed during testimony given by Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, within the context of the U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuit against Alphabet.

Cue’s statements were made while discussing the substantial financial agreement – estimated at $20 billion annually – between Apple and Google.

This deal currently designates Google as the default search engine for Safari users.

Decline in Safari Searches and the Rise of AI

Notably, Cue indicated that Safari experienced a decrease in search volume last month, marking the first such decline observed.

He directly linked this shift to the growing popularity and utilization of AI-driven search technologies.

Future of Search and Apple’s Strategy

Cue expressed his belief that AI search providers are poised to supersede conventional search engines, including Google.

This conviction is driving Apple’s proactive efforts to integrate these emerging services into Safari.

However, Cue also cautioned that these AI services are unlikely to become the default option immediately.

He believes further refinement and improvement are necessary before they can fully replace existing search functionalities.

Discussions with Perplexity

It was also disclosed that Apple has already initiated conversations with Perplexity regarding potential collaboration.

This suggests a concrete step towards evaluating and potentially implementing AI search within the Safari ecosystem.