Google’s ad network has begun showing ads in the context of chatbot conversations — one of the steps Google parent Alphabet is taking to maintain its edge in digital advertising amid the rise of generative artificial intelligence. Earlier this year, Google’s AdSense network, which has traditionally shown ads in search results and on the margins of websites, was expanded to include conversations with chatbots operated by artificial intelligence startups. Google made the decision after testing it with several startups last year and earlier this year, including AI search apps iAsk and Liner, according to people familiar with the matter.