Earlier this year, Google began testing AI Mode for Search with a limited group of users via Google Labs. By early this month, the feature expanded to all Google Labs users in the U.S., and now, at its I/O developer conference, Google has confirmed that AI Mode is no longer in the experimental phase. Starting today, AI Mode will be available to all Google Search users in the U.S. The full rollout is expected to take a few weeks, as is common with Google’s software updates.
Once the feature reaches users, it will appear as a new tab in Google Search and within the Google app search bar on mobile devices. The AI Mode tab will be the leftmost option, located before even the “All” tab. Google has branded AI Mode as its “most powerful AI search,” although comparisons to previous modes remain unclear. The company promises advanced reasoning and multimodal capabilities, as well as the ability to handle follow-up questions and provide links to web resources.
AI Mode is designed to offer more relevant search results, with Google claiming that it will be the first platform to showcase Gemini’s frontier capabilities, although specifics are still lacking. As time goes on, many features of AI Mode will be added to the regular search experience. While users will have the option to opt out by ignoring the AI Mode tab, it seems inevitable that these features will evolve into the mainstream search functionality.
A main feature, Deep Search, will allow AI Mode to analyze different pieces of information and create expert-level reports in just minutes. While this is a promising development, the need for verification will still be necessary, as AI models are not always reliable.
AI Mode will also introduce a Live icon, allowing users to point their camera at items and ask questions. This feature resembles Gemini Live, which includes camera and screen sharing capabilities. Additionally, AI Mode will be able to perform tasks like booking event tickets, making restaurant reservations, and setting local appointments with services like Ticketmaster, StubHub, Resy, and Vagaro. For shopping, AI Mode will enable users to virtually try on clothes and purchase them directly.
The integration of Gmail into AI Mode will allow for personalized suggestions based on past searches, further enhancing the user experience. AI Mode will also analyze complex datasets, creating customized visual graphics based on specific queries.
While AI Mode is already rolling out, many of its advanced features will be available in the coming weeks and months through Google Labs. As the feature transitions from experimentation to mainstream use, it will be interesting to see how these capabilities continue to evolve.
