Google (GOOGL.US) is committed to reasoning AI in an effort to surpass OpenAI

Google (GOOGL.US, GOOG.US) is reportedly researching reasoning artificial intelligence (AI) to catch up with OpenAI. Multiple teams at Google have made progress on reasoning software in the past few months, according to people familiar with the matter. Such programs are better at solving multi-step problems in fields such as math and computer programming.

AI researchers are studying reasoning models in search of the next big advance. Like OpenAI, Google is trying to use a technology called "chain-of-thought prompts" to simulate human reasoning, according to people familiar with the matter. The technology, pioneered by Google, aims to significantly improve the ability of large language models to tackle complex reasoning tasks by generating a series of intermediate reasoning steps.

Google and OpenAI have been locked in a fierce battle for dominance in the AI field, especially since OpenAI released its chatbot ChatGPT. Some investors worry that the popular chatbot will eventually replace Google search.

Google has taken various steps to regain its lead, including merging its top research labs, creating the Google DeepMind division, and strengthening ties between researchers and product teams. Yet the search giant remains slow to release AI products.

Some employees at DeepMind have worried since OpenAI released its 01 model in mid-September that Google has fallen behind, according to another person familiar with the matter. But the person said that now that Google has rolled out some of its own work, employees are no longer as worried as they were when ChatGPT was released.

Oren Etzioni, a senior AI researcher and founder of TrueMedia.org, a nonprofit dedicated to combating political misinformation, said that while Google has been slow to release products, it remains a strong player.

"From a technical standpoint, Google's capabilities have always been top-notch. They're just conservative about bringing things to market. It's a marathon, and everyone wants to win."