From Searching to “ChatGPTing”: Exploring New AI Search Trends
Typing a query into a search bar has been the default way to find information online for over twenty years. But the rise of generative AI is not only rewriting that habit but also the language we use to describe it. Today, many people talk about “ChatGPTing” when they want an answer, signalling how quickly AI tools are shaping our everyday vocabulary.
This likely isn’t just a fad; rather, it signals a cultural shift in how different demographics interact with technology. The reason behind this change is simple: convenience. Traditional search engines rely on keyword strings and multiple clicks through results pages, while generative AI delivers conversational responses in seconds. Instead of searching “best family holiday destinations Europe budget,” users can simply ask, “Where should I take my family in Europe this summer without breaking the bank?”. Tracking these AI search trends offers marketers valuable insights into how customers’ search habits are evolving.
Different Demographics, Different Habits
How people use AI varies widely depending on age, a point Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI highlighted in a recent Business Insider interview. According to Altman, older generations are most likely to treat AI tools like ChatGPT as a direct replacement for traditional search. When they want to know something, they simply “ChatGPT it” instead of heading to a search engine.
Younger users, on the other hand, take a different approach. Rather than relying on AI solely for factual information, they often use it as a kind of digital companion to support in daily life. Whether brainstorming ideas, planning social activities, or asking for advice, this group looks to be integrating AI into their routines in a more comprehensive way.
This contrast shows how AI search trends are not uniform across demographics. For some, AI is about faster answers; for others, it’s becoming part of how they think, create, and organise their world.
Why Customers Are Choosing AI Over Traditional Search
According to Future’s AI Tipping Point study, consumers increasingly prefer AI for tasks such as trip planning, product comparisons, and personalised fitness plans. However, several drivers can explain the shift from search engines to generative AI:
- Information is gathered and presented at speed: AI condenses multiple sources into one clear answer in a matter of seconds.
- Facilitates natural interaction: people can type or speak as they would to a friend.
- Task orientation: beyond fact-finding, AI allows the users to plan holidays, write first drafts, or generate shopping lists.
- Refined and organised results: many feel AI offers a cleaner, more straightforward way to access information.
Beyond Typing: Voice and Multimodal AI Search Trends
Search is no longer limited to typing and increasingly, people are turning to voice commands to interact with AI in more natural and flexible ways. A quick “Hey, where’s the best coffee near me?” spoken to a smartphone or smart speaker is now second nature. Generative AI goes further, enabling ongoing conversations where follow-up questions and clarifications feel effortless, a shift that makes voice-based search feel more like dialogue than a one-off query.
Alongside this, multimodal capabilities are reshaping what “search” even means. Users can upload an image of a product they like, drop in a screenshot of a problem, or share a document, then ask AI to explain, improve, or expand on it. Instead of separating text, voice, and visuals into different search behaviours, people are blending them and using speech, copy, and uploaded documents interchangeably depending on what feels quickest and most intuitive in the moment.
These habits highlight how AI search trends are not only about what people are asking but how they are asking it. Search is evolving into a multi-channel, conversational experience where typing is just one option among many. For brands and businesses, this means considering how customers phrase requests aloud, what they choose to show instead of tell, and how to meet them across every mode of interaction.
The Language of the Future
Just as online search once became second nature, we may soon see “ChatGPTing,” “Gemini-ing” or even a generic “AI-ing” enter common vocabulary. Language typically follows behaviour, and with more people making AI their first stop for information, it’s only a matter of time before a new verb dominates.
For businesses and brands, the key takeaway is clear: tracking AI search trends is essential to understanding customer behaviour. The way people search — and the way they describe it — reveals expectations around speed, convenience, and personalisation. Customers are already living in an AI-first search culture, and the organisations that adapt to this shift will be best placed to meet them where they are
As search habits continue to evolve, one thing is clear: AI is no longer just an alternative to traditional search methods; it’s becoming the default for many. Whether through typed prompts, voice commands, or multimodal interactions, customers are embracing faster, more conversational, and more intuitive ways to find information. For businesses, recognising and adapting to these behaviours isn’t optional; it’s essential to staying relevant. By keeping a close eye on AI search trends, brands can better understand how people are discovering, deciding, and engaging in an AI-first world.