Is Google facing its own Kodak moment with the rise of AI?

The Google search engine has become such a ubiquitous part of life that it's difficult to imagine the possibility that one day it could just vanish. Yet, that is what financial markets are doing – pondering an artificial intelligence-powered future of search in which Google is left behind.
Sure, the search engine's parent Alphabet has a market capitalisation that, at $US2 trillion ($3.3 trillion), exceeds the entire Australian sharemarket. But the value of Google could and would be larger were it not for growing anxiety that AI is going to totally upend the way we find things on the internet, and how businesses pay platforms like Google for customers.

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Perth Now

16 minutes ago

• Perth Now

Tesla launches self-driving robotaxis in Austin, Texas

Tesla has deployed a small group of self-driving taxis picking up paying passengers in Texas, with chief Elon Musk announcing the "robotaxi launch" and social media influencers posting videos of their first rides. Musk called the moment the "culmination of a decade of hard work" in a post on his social media platform X and noted "the AI chip and software teams were built from scratch within Tesla". Teslas were spotted in an Austin neighbourhood called South Congress with no one in the driver's seat but one person in the passenger seat. The automaker planned a small trial with about 10 vehicles and front-seat riders acting as "safety monitors", though it remained unclear how much control they had over the vehicles. In recent days, the automaker sent invites to a select group of influencers for a carefully monitored robotaxi trial in a limited zone. The rides are being offered for a flat fee of $US4.20 ($A6.50), Musk said on X. Tesla investor and social media personality Sawyer Merritt posted videos on X showing him ordering, getting picked up and taking a ride to a nearby bar and restaurant using a Tesla robotaxi app. If Tesla succeeds with the small deployment, it still faces major challenges in delivering on Musk's promises to scale up quickly in Austin and other cities, industry experts say. It could take years or decades for Tesla and self-driving rivals, such as Alphabet's Waymo, to fully develop a robotaxi industry, said Philip Koopman, a Carnegie Mellon University computer-engineering professor with expertise in autonomous-vehicle technology. A successful Austin trial for Tesla, he said, would be "the end of the beginning - not the beginning of the end". Most of Tesla's sky-high stock value now rests on its ability to deliver robotaxis and humanoid robots, according to many industry analysts. Tesla is by far the world's most valuable automaker. The Tesla robotaxi rollout comes after more than a decade of Musk's unfulfilled promises to deliver self-driving Teslas. Musk has said Tesla would be "super paranoid" about robotaxi safety in Austin, including operating in limited areas. The service in Austin will have other restrictions as well. Tesla plans to avoid bad weather, difficult intersections, and will not carry anyone below age 18.

Courier-Mail

3 hours ago

• Courier-Mail

New research reveals Australian drivers aren't ready to embrace fully autonomous driving

Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring. Followed categories will be added to My News. EXCLUSIVE: As several brands set to launch full self-driving technology on Australian roads, new research reveals many Aussies aren't ready to take their hands off the wheel. According to mycar Mobility Index, a mere 19 per cent of Australians said they would be willing to use a fully autonomous vehicle for most or all of their journey. Additionally, 40 per cent said they don't feel comfortable giving up full control. Many said they don't know enough about the technology or either don't feel safe using it. Sydney-based marketing professional Tara isn't excited about fully autonomous vehicles but nervous. Picture: Supplied When Sydney-based marketing professional Tara first heard about fully autonomous vehicles, she didn't feel excited but nervous. 'Honestly, it makes me feel uneasy,' she said. 'Driving involves so many unpredictable situations – like if someone runs into the street or there's a sudden change in weather. It's hard to imagine sitting back and trusting a car to make those split-second decisions for me.' Despite driving a Honda Civic that has cruise control, lane assist and parking sensors, Tara said she rarely uses the features and has no plans to embrace full autonomy anytime soon. The findings by mycar Mobility Index also reveal that driver trust is lacking and far behind the rapidly evolving technology we're seeing on Australian roads. A Waymo autonomous self-driving Jaguar taxi drives along a street in Los Angeles, California. Picture:Mycar chief customer officer Adele Coswello said the industry is still facing major trust problems and that is holding back adoption. 'Autonomous technology has the potential to change how we move, but right now, trust is the biggest roadblock,' she said. 'This year's Mobility Index shows that many Australians are still unsure – not just about the safety of self-driving cars, but how they work and what they mean for everyday drivers.' Even smart technology in today's vehicles are being under-utilised. Only 1 in 3 are using assisted driving technology like cruise control (32 per cent), lane assist (31 per cent), brake assist (28 per cent) or parking assistance (22 per cent). That's despite more than 76 per cent having this technology in their car. Amazon's self-driving company Zoox testing its autonomous vehicle. Picture: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images Coswello believes the reason many drivers aren't using assisted driving technology is because automakers are failing to explain them. 'Only a small number of Aussies are embracing the smart systems that are available in the vehicles of today, and we believe the industry needs to build understanding and confidence in assisted driving technologies. That includes ensuring technicians are upskilled in the latest technologies and systems to help educate drivers. By doing so, we can help prepare drivers for the future – one service and one conversation at a time,' she said. The lack of technical explanations is something Tara has experienced first-hand. 'I'd also want to see more clear, straightforward explanations from car companies about how the systems work, what their limitations are, and what kind of back up measures are in place. Most importantly, though, I'd want to know I could quickly and easily take back control if something didn't feel right,' she said. Despite more than 76 per cent of respondents having some form of assisted driving technology, only 1 in 3 are using it. Picture: Supplied She also believes brands are failing to strike the right tone in delivery. 'A lot of the messaging feels too technical or overly optimistic. I think companies need to do a better job of breaking things down in plain language and addressing the real concerns people have,' she said. 'This would help to build trust and reassurance that the technology works, and that there are the right safeguards in place.' Internationally, car brands like XPeng, Nio and BYD are racing ahead offering level 3 and 4 autonomous capabilities in their home market. Tesla's Full-Self Driving technology is about to launch in the US next week in their robotaxis. But Australia looks a little more cautious and Australian drive like Tara are happy to keep their hands on the wheel. Originally published as Aussies not ready for advanced technology despite tech take off

Canberra Times

3 hours ago

• Canberra Times

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50: Most powerful GTI detailed

In a chat with CarExpert at the local launch of the new Mk8.5 Golf range, general manager for product at Volkswagen Australia, Arjun Nidigallu, said the German brand's local arm is actively looking into how the GTI Clubsport could fit into the local lineup, but noted, "There are some technical things with the GTI Clubsport – engine and suspension variations that we need to make sure we have clearances for the Australian market".