Yandex AI Rolls Out AI-Powered Search Engine Features Like Google's AI Overviews, ChatGPT And Copilot

Yandex has finally introduced AI-powered overviews and conversational capabilities directly into its search engine, mirroring features like Google's AI Overviews and OpenAI's ChatGPT. This exclusive report reveals how these integrations enhance user experiences, positioning Yandex as a potential formidable player in AI-driven information retrieval search engine.

Launched progressively throughout 2025, these features allow users to access generative summaries and interactive chats without leaving the search page. On the English-oriented yandex.com, the "Yandex AI" tab sits alongside classic sections such as Web, Images, Videos, Maps, and Translate, providing quick, context-aware responses to queries. Similarly, on yandex.ru, the Russian counterpart, the "Alice" tab delivers equivalent functionality, tailored for local users. This hybrid approach ensures that conventional link-based results remain fully accessible, while the AI tab offers an optional, innovative layer for more intuitive interactions.

Building on earlier teases of AI enhancements—as explored in our previous coverage (Yandex Teases AI Mode)—Yandex's rollout emphasizes seamless integration. Users can click the AI tab to receive summarized overviews drawn from real-time web data, complete with sources, potential follow-up questions, and multimedia elements. For instance, a query like "what is AI" might yield a concise explanation, ethical considerations, and embedded videos, all generated on-the-fly.

YandexGPT 5: The Cutting-Edge AI Powering Search Revolution

At the heart of these features is YandexGPT 5, the latest iteration of Yandex's proprietary large language model, released on February 25, 2025. This version introduces enhanced reasoning, document processing, and contextual understanding, with variants like YandexGPT 5 Lite for efficient tasks and YandexGPT 5 Pro for advanced applications such as analyzing complex files. Available through Yandex Cloud, it supports API integrations for developers, enabling custom AI solutions that blend generative responses with search data.

YandexGPT 5 builds on prior models by incorporating longer context windows—up to 32,000 tokens in the Lite version—and improved accuracy for multilingual queries. Its pretrain variant, released in February 2025, allows for fine-tuning on specific datasets, making it versatile for enterprise use.

Yandex AI Tab: How It Transforms User Search Experience

The AI tab operates as a dynamic interface for generative responses. Upon selecting it, users receive an overview similar to Google's, but powered by Yandex's ecosystem for faster, regionally optimized results. For example, on yandex.com, the Yandex AI tab displays a summarized answer at the top, citing sources and noting potential inaccuracies, with options for follow-up queries in a chat-like format. This includes embedded links, images, and prompts like "What are the main features of...?" to encourage deeper exploration.

On yandex.ru, Alice handles this role, evolving from a voice assistant into a full AI companion since its 2017 debut. Alice uses YandexGPT and other technologies to provide personalized, conversational replies, remembering context across sessions and integrating with services like booking or music playback via the Alice Skills Platform. Users can switch to traditional tabs at any time, ensuring flexibility—traditional Web results load by default, with AI as an enhancement rather than a replacement.

Regional expansions in 2025, such as AI-powered search in Uzbek and Turkish markets, demonstrate Yandex's focus on localization. These updates include natural language processing for intuitive queries and real-time tools for finance and travel.

Alice.yandex.ru is like the ChatGPT of Russia

For standalone interactions, Yandex offers a dedicated chat at https://alice.yandex.ru, currently available only in Russian. This platform, similar to chatgpt.com, offers both a basic and an advanced mode. It is powered by YandexGPT 5 Lite and YandexGPT 5 Pro, which gives it the ability to reason, search the web, create images, and upload files. It also helps with task-solving and idea generation, and it stores your history when you log in. However, due to the potential for errors, you should verify any critical information.

An English equivalent remains unconfirmed, but industry speculation suggests a launch could follow Yandex's international growth, potentially later in 2025 or 2026. Until then, English users rely on the integrated Yandex AI tab for similar capabilities.

Ethical AI Innovation: Yandex's Technological Ecosystem Unveiled

Yandex emphasizes responsible AI development, adhering to principles like transparency, bias avoidance, and fair reflection of reality. Technologies such as Neuro—a hybrid system blending LLMs with search indices—ensure responses are grounded in current data. SupportAI leverages machine learning for ethical support services, while Yandex Cloud's 160% growth in ML revenue underscores the ecosystem's scalability.

Alice's mechanics involve parsing queries via YandexGPT, cross-referencing with web data, and delivering human-like responses with humor and cultural relevance. Upgrades in 2024 and 2025, including YandexGPT 3 and 5 integrations, enable nuanced tasks like recipe refinement or speech therapy assistance.

Yandex AI Search Dominance

Yandex's AI search stands out in 2025 for its strong focus on privacy and regional accuracy, potentially challenging Google's dominance in Eurasian countries. As artificial intelligence transforms search technology through 2030, Yandex's innovative approach—blending advanced generative AI with traditional search engines—ensures long-term innovation and user trust.

Key Features Comparison: Yandex AI vs Competitors

• Interface Integration:
  • Yandex AI (yandex.com): Seamlessly integrates as a tab alongside Web, Images, Videos, and Maps for easy access.
  • Alice (yandex.ru): Offers a dedicated Alice tab alongside traditional sections for a tailored experience.
  • Google AI Overview: Displays AI summaries directly atop search results for quick insights.
  • ChatGPT: Functions as a standalone chat platform, separate from traditional search.
• Generative Summaries:
  • Yandex AI (yandex.com): Provides summaries with cited sources and follow-up question options.
  • Alice (yandex.ru): Delivers personalized, conversational summaries for enhanced engagement.
  • Google AI Overview: Offers concise, summary-based overviews for efficiency.
  • ChatGPT: Generates query-driven summaries with detailed responses.
• Chat Functionality:
  • Yandex AI (yandex.com): Features follow-up prompts within the tab for interactive searches.
  • Alice (yandex.ru): Includes persistent memory and skill extensions for continuous conversations.
  • Google AI Overview: Supports limited refinements for basic follow-up queries, unless switched to AI Mode.
  • ChatGPT: Offers full session history for comprehensive chat experiences.
• Language Focus:
  • Yandex AI (yandex.com): Supports English and multiple languages for global reach.
  • Alice (yandex.ru): Prioritizes Russian with additional multilingual support.
  • Google AI Overview: Caters to a global audience with universal language coverage.
  • ChatGPT: Provides global language support for diverse users.
• Underlying Model:
  • Yandex AI (yandex.com): Powered by the advanced YandexGPT 5 for superior performance.
  • Alice (yandex.ru): Utilizes YandexGPT 5 with integrated skills for versatility.
  • Google AI Overview: Relies on the Gemini model for AI processing.
  • ChatGPT: Driven by the GPT series for robust language generation.
• Dedicated Page:
  • Yandex AI (yandex.com): Speculated but not yet available (future English platform possible).
  • Alice (yandex.ru): Features a dedicated page at alice.yandex.ru.
  • Google AI Overview: Accessible via Labs AI mode, gets integrated within google search.
  • ChatGPT: Operates on its dedicated platform at chatgpt.com.
• Ethical Emphasis:
  • Yandex AI (yandex.com): Focuses on transparency and bias mitigation for ethical AI use.
  • Alice (yandex.ru): Prioritizes user trust with clear error warnings.
  • Google AI Overview: Adheres to policy-dependent ethical standards.
  • ChatGPT: Follows OpenAI guidelines for responsible AI development.

In conclusion, Yandex's 2025 AI integrations represent a balanced evolution, combining cutting-edge technology with user-centric design to foster trust and efficiency in the digital age.