In a significant move to reduce its reliance on Google and Microsoft, Meta is reportedly developing its own AI-powered search engine. According to a report from The Information, the search engine will provide AI-generated search summaries of current events within Meta's AI chatbot, which is currently integrated into Instagram and Facebook.

The development is a significant step forward for Meta, which has been working on building a database of information for its chatbot over the past eight months. The company's web crawlers have been active for months, suggesting a concerted effort to create a comprehensive search engine.

This move comes as other tech giants, such as Apple, are also exploring the development of AI-powered search tools. OpenAI has confirmed it is working on a search engine called SearchGPT, while Perplexity's AI search engine is facing legal challenges from publishers.

Meta's decision to develop its own search engine could have significant implications for the tech industry, potentially disrupting the dominance of Google and Microsoft in the search market. The company's multi-year deal with Reuters to use the outlet's news articles in its chatbot answers also suggests a commitment to providing high-quality, accurate information to users.

As the search engine landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: AI-powered search is the future, and Meta is positioning itself to be at the forefront of this revolution.