Google is Testing AI-Powered Audio Summaries in Search Results

Google Search Might Soon Talk Back to You

Google is currently testing a new feature that could change how you get information from its search engine: AI-powered audio summaries. The new experiment, reported by TechCrunch, adds a play button to the top of some search results, allowing you to listen to an audible version of the AI-generated overview.

The feature appears for certain informational search queries. When triggered, a new panel shows up with a play button that, when pressed, reads the summary aloud in a natural-sounding AI voice. The on-screen text of the overview is highlighted word-by-word as it's spoken, similar to a karaoke or music app interface, and includes controls to pause the playback.

This move is a logical next step for Google, building directly on its recently launched "AI Overviews" feature. The primary benefit is hands-free information consumption. This could be incredibly useful for times when you can't look at your phone, such as when you're driving, cooking, or have your hands full.

A Google spokesperson confirmed that this is an active experiment, part of the company's ongoing effort to create more versatile and accessible search experiences. While it's only a limited test for now with no official timeline for a wider release, it provides a clear glimpse into a future where interacting with Google Search is a much more conversational and multimodal experience.