I agree. "AI" is essentially a better algo not an artificial intelligence. Would be so much easier to talk about this topic with non-technical people if wasn't called artificial intelligence.

The primary issue I see with AI replacing search is you are placing even more trust in the tool/company than with a search engine. You have no clue where the answer is coming from. The more magic it seems to more faith people put in it. When I start thinking about it to much I get pretty dark on the future for most people.

Google already is testing AI on its search results. SEO on the other hand.

Indeed! And also make people more dumb, making them forget how to ask question in the general. They will ask AI to frame questions. I really miss old forum having to search to stuff to find my answers

We still have books though.

Search engines will always be there.

No, AI still needs training data. And who has the most? Search engines.