DuckDuckGo is bringing AI search results to everyone after months of testing. These AI features are free to use (with some limits) and respect user privacy—no account is needed, and searches are not tracked.
Like Google and Bing, DuckDuckGo now provides AI-generated answers, labeled as “Assist.” However, they appear less often and are not as prominent. The goal is to offer AI help only when it is truly useful. Users can control how often AI appears by adjusting settings to Never, On-demand, Sometimes, or Often.
DuckDuckGo also introduced Duck.ai, a chatbot that lets users ask follow-up questions. It supports multiple AI models, including GPT-4o mini and Claude 3 Haiku. Chats are not saved or used for AI training, and users can delete them anytime.
Despite offering AI search for free, DuckDuckGo makes money through non-tracking ads. The company is also considering a paid plan for advanced AI features, similar to its existing $10-per-month pro subscription.
Early tests show that DuckDuckGo’s AI is simple, accurate, and privacy-friendly. AI answers include sources for transparency, and the chatbot provides helpful follow-ups. While AI integration is still evolving, DuckDuckGo’s balanced approach ensures users get AI help without overwhelming search results.
Source: lifehacker
