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Evolution of Online Search Techniques

Mar 7, 2025

How Finding and Sharing Information Online Has Evolved

Overview

  • Topic: Evolution of online search and information sharing.
  • Course: Generative AI: The Evolution of Thoughtful Online Search
  • Instructors: Ashley Kennedy with insights from Noelle Russell (Accenture) and Brandie Nonnecke (UC Berkeley).

Key Points

Traditional Search Engines

  • Function: Use keywords to navigate and retrieve information from the internet.
  • Method: Requires users to type inquiries and sift through results.

Emergence of Reasoning Engines

  • Examples: ChatGPT, Bing Chat.
  • Functionality: Moves beyond keyword search to conversational inquiry.
  • Importance: Thoughtful questioning and context are crucial for accurate results.

Importance of Thoughtful Online Search

  • Skill: Users need to develop thoughtful questioning strategies to effectively use reasoning engines.
  • Outcome: Ensures meaningful and accurate results.

Course Content Details

1. Search Engines vs. Reasoning Engines

  • How a Search Engine Works: Overview of traditional search engine mechanics.
  • How a Reasoning Engine Works: Explanation of new conversational engines.
  • Comparison: Differences outlined between traditional and reasoning engines.
  • Future of Online Search: Exploration of upcoming trends and advancements.

2. Thoughtful Search Strategies and Considerations

  • Prompt Engineering: Techniques to optimize inquiries in reasoning engines.
  • Search Strategies: Approaches to improve search outcomes using reasoning engines.

Additional Resources

  • Offline Learning: Courses can be downloaded for offline viewing on mobile devices.

Summary

The evolution from traditional search engines to conversational reasoning engines marks a significant shift in how users find and interact with information online. This course emphasizes the importance of thoughtful inquiry to harness the full potential of these new technologies and offers strategies for effective search practices.