Google Launches ‘AI Mode’ for Smarter Search

Google is taking a bold step into AI-powered search with the introduction of AI Mode, an experimental feature designed to enhance how users interact with Search. The new mode, which allows users to ask complex, multi-part questions and follow-ups, is Google’s latest attempt to compete with AI-driven search alternatives like Perplexity AI and ChatGPT Search by OpenAI.

What is AI Mode?

AI Mode is an advanced search feature leveraging Google’s Gemini 2.0 model, known for its deep reasoning and multimodal capabilities. It aims to go beyond traditional search by providing detailed answers, comparisons, and explorations of topics in a way that feels more like an interactive conversation.

This feature is currently rolling out to Google One AI Premium subscribers via Search Labs, Google’s experimental testing platform. Users can access it directly through the “AI Mode” tab in Search. Mobile users can tap the AI Mode icon in the Google app’s home screen.

How Does AI Mode Work?

Traditionally, users needed to conduct multiple searches to gather detailed comparisons or explore nuanced topics. AI Mode simplifies this process by:

• Answering complex, multi-step questions in a single response
• Allowing follow-up questions to refine and expand on the initial search
• Providing comparisons and insights that pull from real-time sources, including the Knowledge Graph, product shopping data, and web content

For example, a user could ask:
"What’s the difference in sleep tracking features between a smart ring, smartwatch, and tracking mat?"

AI Mode would generate a detailed comparison of each product’s features and provide links to sources for further reading. If the user then asks, “What happens to your heart rate during deep sleep?”, the AI will seamlessly continue the conversation rather than requiring a brand-new search.

Google’s Competitive Edge: Real-Time, Multi-Source Information

Unlike ChatGPT Search or Perplexity AI, which often rely on static web scraping and AI-generated responses, AI Mode integrates real-time data from Google’s vast ecosystem, including:

• Web links and references for verifiability
• Knowledge Graph insights to enhance factual accuracy
• Live shopping data for billions of products
• Dynamic prioritization of response types, such as hyperlinks for booking tickets or visual content for how-to searches

This query fan-out approach allows AI Mode to issue multiple related searches simultaneously, synthesizing the most relevant results into a single, digestible response.

A Smarter, More Conversational Google Search

According to Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google Search, AI Mode has already demonstrated a shift in user behavior. In testing, Google found:

• Users ask questions twice as long as traditional searches
• 25% of users follow up with additional queries for deeper exploration

These insights suggest that AI Mode is helping users tackle more complex and research-intensive topics in a natural, conversational manner.

Accuracy, Limitations, and Future Plans

Google emphasizes that AI Mode prioritizes factuality, especially in sensitive topics like health. If the AI lacks confidence in a response, it may default to listing web links rather than generating an uncertain answer. However, as with all AI models, mistakes are still possible.

As AI Mode evolves, Google plans to:

• Make responses more visual, incorporating images and videos where relevant
• Expand data sources, including user-generated content
• Improve how the AI determines when to insert hyperlinks for direct actions like booking events

Google’s AI Expansion: Gemini 2.0 and AI Overviews

In addition to launching AI Mode, Google also announced:

• Gemini 2.0 for AI Overviews (Google’s AI-generated search summaries) is now available in the U.S.
• AI Overviews will handle more complex queries, including coding, advanced math, and multimodal questions
• Users no longer need to sign in to access AI Overviews, and teen users are now included in the rollout

The Future of Search is AI-Driven

Google’s AI Mode represents a major shift in how users interact with Search. Instead of relying on traditional keyword-based queries, users can now engage in deeper, more interactive research experiences—bringing Google closer to becoming an AI-powered personal assistant rather than just a search engine.

With AI-powered alternatives like Perplexity AI and ChatGPT Search gaining traction, Google’s aggressive push into AI-driven search shows its determination to remain the leader in information retrieval.

For those eager to try AI Mode, Google One AI Premium subscribers can opt into Search Labs today and experience the next generation of AI-powered search firsthand.