Hub Podcasts Google AI Mode is forever changing the attention economy as we know it
Aug 26, 2025
Rudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer dive into Google's new AI Mode in Canada, discussing its impact on how people consume news. They highlight concerns about users favoring AI-generated summaries over original content, potentially diminishing engagement for news organizations. The conversation touches on the intersection of tech and politics, including Donald Trump's remarks on tariffs against nations regulating American tech. The implications for Canadian digital policy are examined, alongside a humorous take on AI and personal appearance.
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Google's Search Dominance Meets AI
- Google leverages its dominant search position to become a default AI interface by combining search with large language models.
- That integration could shift how people access the internet's content and who controls that access.
Live Demo Shows Users Skip Clickthroughs
- Rudyard demos AI Mode asking about Canadian polls and shows a synthesized summary built from 70+ sites inside Chrome.
- He notes users often stop there because the summary feels complete and convenient.
AI Answers Threaten Referral Traffic
- AI Mode and chat AIs are starting to erode traditional search traffic by offering direct answers without visiting sources.
- That behavioral shift threatens the referral model that funds many news and content sites.