Elasticsearch is poised to become the primary tool for developing AI-powered search experiences as App Search is set to be discontinued in version 9.0. Elastic is enhancing Elasticsearch with integrated machine learning capabilities, such as the Elastic Learned Sparse EncodeR (ELSER) for simplified semantic search and various vector search tools. These advancements allow developers to create more intuitive, dynamic search solutions without the need for separate Enterprise search nodes, offering improved relevance tools and large language model-powered chat features. While App Search will continue to receive updates in version 8.x, users are encouraged to transition to Elasticsearch, which now includes many of the same functionalities and an option to start with Elasticsearch Serverless. Elastic emphasizes a commitment to innovation, promising more features like GPU workload support and expanded large language model capabilities in future releases.