The Brave browser continues to innovate in the field of web search by integrating a new chat mode into its search engine. This feature, which expands on the “Answer with AI” feature launched earlier this year, now allows users to have real conversations with Brave Search’s AI assistant. A development that could interest users of Safari and other Apple browsers, always looking for alternatives to Google.
A hybrid approach between research and conversation
Brave Search now offers a unique experience that combines the benefits of a traditional search engine with those of an AI chatbot. When a user asks a question, the engine not only generates a summary response at the top of the results, but also provides the ability to ask follow-up questions via a dedicated chat bar. This feature is available for free to all Brave Search users, regardless of their browser.
The system relies on a combination of open source and proprietary language models, as well as Brave’s search index. This architecture helps provide answers anchored in real-time search results, significantly reducing the risk of AI hallucinations, a recurring problem with chatbots like ChatGPT.
Confidentiality at the heart of the service
True to its privacy-focused philosophy, Brave ensures that this new feature meets the same high standards as the rest of its services. Conversations are ephemeral and automatically expire after six hours, while no user profile data is retained. An approach that contrasts sharply with that of tech giants like Google or Microsoft.
The success of Brave Search continues, with more than 36 million queries processed daily and more than a billion per month. “Answer with AI” alone generates more than 11 million responses per day, demonstrating users’ appetite for alternative, privacy-friendly search solutions.
For Apple device users, who represent a significant portion of Brave’s audience, this new feature offers an interesting alternative to Google Search, as the Cupertino company continues to receive billions of dollars to maintain Google as a search engine. default search on Safari. For the record, Brave removes trackers and advertising, allowing for example to enjoy YouTube without interruption.
