• thetreesaysbark@sh.itjust.works
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    2 days ago

    The environmental impact is interesting, if an AI search being as environmentally impactful as 10 Google searches is true.

    I don’t know about you, but it often takes a number of Google searches for me to find the right information, whereas with AI and Google combined I usually get the info I need in 1/2 Google searches.

    That means that, based on my personal experience, AI is probably more environmentally efficient at getting me the correct info than google search alone.

    Edit: gotta love downvoters that give no discussion. I’m happy to re-evaluate the above but if nobody is rebuking it then all I can assume is that downvoters are ‘AI BAD’ folks who don’t have any intelligent input.

    • Oni_eyes@sh.itjust.works
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      5 days ago

      The ai results from Google I have been getting are less helpful than two specific searches. It could be because of how we search for things and it is definitely getting messed with because of seo weighting and ai targeting those tools, so I think a better option would be to teach people how to actually use the search engines properly instead of just sitting back and letting ais pick up slack.

      • thetreesaysbark@sh.itjust.works
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        2 days ago

        My scenario is that I use chatgpt to get context and terminology in the area I’m researching.

        I then know how to do more specific Google searches (only 1/2).

          • thetreesaysbark@sh.itjust.works
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            1 day ago

            I guess it adds up to 12 searches worth of environmental impact with chatgpt+Google (10 searches worth from chatgpt, 2 from Google)

            When I use Google alone it’s often the same as that if not more. Sometimes it’s less if I already know the subject matter, but in those scenarios I would usually give just Google a go first anyway.

            Basically chatgpt often either gives me the answer or a much better starting place for what to Google.

            • Oni_eyes@sh.itjust.works
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              1 day ago

              I don’t understand the chatgpt bit still. When you say you need more context on the subject matter, you could search for the wiki or a forum and get the same information chatgpt is pulling without the impact.

              • thetreesaysbark@sh.itjust.works
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                22 hours ago

                you could search for the wiki or a forum and get the same information chatgpt is pulling without the impact.

                True, depending on the quality of the wiki/forum. I would then also often find myself defaulting back to Google to find the right page on the wiki/forum, just with the name of the forum included to narrow down my search.

                That or I’d never find the exact bit of info I need because it’s buried in hours worth of reading on the wiki.

    • JovialMicrobial@lemm.ee
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      5 days ago

      Try using the duckduckgo search engine. I switched recently and the search results are way better than Google now. I get what I’m looking for first try more often than not.

      • BlanketsWithSmallpox@lemmy.world
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        5 days ago

        I have the opposite issue with DDG and it’s been my default search engine for a year now. I frequently have to try bing or Google or cheat and just use reddit for specific info just like I did with Google.

        DDG is terrible at indexing certain info though and really only hits some of the biggest sites.

        Trying to vaguely search for stuff is an absolute crapshoot on DDG.

        • JovialMicrobial@lemm.ee
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          5 days ago

          That’s interesting, I’ve been having way better luck digging around on ddg. Google just seems to serve up ads when I’m trying to research a company or something and won’t give me what I’m looking for.
          Maybe its the types of things I search for though. It’s really hard to say

          • BlanketsWithSmallpox@lemmy.world
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            5 days ago

            I think a large part of it is whether you know what you’re searching for already. If you have a good idea of what it is already then you can generally find it. If you’re already good at using search terms or syntax it’s always helpful but it was the same for Google.

            Simply put though Google just scrapes waaaaaaay more data so it’s going to have more to index from.

            Either way it’s just one tool. Just like I’m using Bing for porn over either lol.

            https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/results/syntax/