DuckDuckGo's New AI Tools: Privacy and Functionality Combined

DuckDuckGo, well-known for its privacy-centric search engine, has just rolled out its AI tools from beta with some exciting updates. These tools, which include Duck.ai and the Assist feature, are designed to let you enjoy AI capabilities without compromising your personal data. And the best part? They’re free and completely optional.

Meet Duck.ai: Your Gateway to Multiple Chatbots

Duck.ai opens the door to a variety of AI chatbots. Initially known as DuckDuckGo AI Chat during its beta phase in 2024, it offered access to popular models like OpenAI's GPT-3.5 Turbo and Anthropic's Claude 3 Haiku. Now, with its official release, Duck.ai includes upgraded versions such as OpenAI's GPT-4o mini, Anthropic's Claude 3 Haiku, and open-source options like Meta Llama 3.3 and Mistral Small 3. What's more, your chat history is saved locally on your device, allowing you to revisit past conversations with ease.

Privacy Concerns Addressed

A survey by KPMG in 2024 highlighted that while many people are excited about AI tools, about 63% worry about privacy and cybersecurity. These concerns are valid, considering that most AI chatbots collect user data. However, DuckDuckGo has taken steps to address these issues by removing personal metadata from chats and ensuring that data is only stored locally, with agreements in place to limit how data is used by providers.

Assist: Enhanced Answers at Your Fingertips

Another feature stepping out of beta is the Assist tool, previously called DuckAssist. This AI-powered feature enhances DuckDuckGo's existing Instant Answers, which initially sourced information from Wikipedia. Now, Assist pulls data from a broader range of internet sources, offering more comprehensive answers. However, DuckDuckGo is upfront about the potential for AI errors, displaying sources alongside Assist answers and taking precautions to avoid unreliable information.

Using DuckDuckGo's AI Tools

These tools are seamlessly integrated into the DuckDuckGo experience and require no account to use. While there is a daily chat limit with Duck.ai, it’s unlikely to affect typical usage. For those who might want more, the company is considering a paid service for expanded access and higher chat limits.

If you're curious to explore these features, you can try them out for free in the DuckDuckGo browser. Just click the chat icon in the top-right corner to start a conversation with Duck.ai, or adjust your settings to control how often Assist provides answers.

In an era where AI is becoming increasingly embedded in everyday tools, DuckDuckGo's offerings stand out for their commitment to privacy. Whether you choose to use these features or not, DuckDuckGo ensures that your data remains yours.