DuckDuckGo has officially launched its enhanced AI search tool, which now sources information from across the web beyond Wikipedia. The company’s AI chatbot has also exited beta and will soon integrate web search within it.
Users can still choose how often they see AI-assisted answers, which are designed to provide more concise responses and allow users to adjust their settings. The feature was initially launched in 2023 as DuckAssist and is aimed at offering a less obtrusive alternative to tools like Google’s AI Overviews.
The company plans to increase the frequency of AI-assisted answer displays over time, but will maintain conservative settings for now. Users can interact with the AI chatbot, known as Duck.ai, without creating an account and enjoy the same level of privacy.
Recent updates to Duck.ai include a “Recent Chats” feature that stores previous conversations locally on users’ devices. Future plans include integrating web search, voice interaction on iPhone and Android, and image upload capabilities. While DuckDuckGo’s AI chatbot will remain free, advanced model access may be included with a $9.99 per month subscription.
CEO Gabriel Weinberg emphasizes the company’s vision for a unified app experience that combines search and chat functionality, allowing users to seamlessly transition between modes as needed. Users can try out Duck.ai on the DuckDuckGo website or browser, or find AI-assisted answers in the DuckDuckGo search engine.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/624899/duckduckgo-ai-search-chatbot-plans