Google is reported to be considering charging users for 'premium' internet search results.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the tech giant is exploring ideas about how to use artificial intelligence (AI), including enhanced search tools as part of a premium subscription service, as reported by Sky.

More than a billion of us use Google at least once a month.

Under the proposals, the main search engine would remain free to use, but with additional content available to users who pay a fee. Adverts would still appear alongside searches, even for premium subscribers.

Google already charges for some services, but this is the first time there has been speculation about payments for its core service.

The Financial Times reported it had been informed of proposals by three sources at the tech giant, with engineers working on developing improved AI tools.

But Google said it has nothing to announce at the moment. It said it will continue to build new premium services to enhance its subscription offering, as it has done many times before.