We’re building AI that is different. It answers to the planet, not Big Tech. And it’s now more European – which means more independent, and more private.
We’re building AI that answers to the planet. And it’s now more European – which means more independent, and more private.
Our AI is 100% optional, like it has always been. Turn off Overviews anytime.
AI overviews should be opt-in, not opt-out.
I like Ecosia’s overall mission (focus on eco-friendlyness, building an independent index together with Quant etc.) it’s my main search engine now, with all AI features disabled. But I just checked with a private browser and the front page features the slogan “AI that answers to the planet”. I don’t like this switch to being an AI chatbot first, search engine second.
I have found them useful from time to time, i turned them off because I know where to find the switch button and for environmental reasons it would be way better to force this on everyone - but knowing a lot of people might not find this button, or even look for it, i could also see how some users might be lured (back) to the big tech alternative.
Also for us a box where you type in a search query is different as a box where you start a conversation, but i think this difference will only grow smaller - just like how desktop web pages changed appearance because of mobile-first design. Not saying you have to like it of course, but i can see the business decision here choosing growth over principles. Them getting a bigger market share is, imo, more important than them having a small carbon footprint.
AI overviews should be opt-in, not opt-out.
I like Ecosia’s overall mission (focus on eco-friendlyness, building an independent index together with Quant etc.) it’s my main search engine now, with all AI features disabled. But I just checked with a private browser and the front page features the slogan “AI that answers to the planet”. I don’t like this switch to being an AI chatbot first, search engine second.
I have found them useful from time to time, i turned them off because I know where to find the switch button and for environmental reasons it would be way better to force this on everyone - but knowing a lot of people might not find this button, or even look for it, i could also see how some users might be lured (back) to the big tech alternative.
Also for us a box where you type in a search query is different as a box where you start a conversation, but i think this difference will only grow smaller - just like how desktop web pages changed appearance because of mobile-first design. Not saying you have to like it of course, but i can see the business decision here choosing growth over principles. Them getting a bigger market share is, imo, more important than them having a small carbon footprint.