Google has officially introduced a major shift in how users interact with its search engine, unveiling a new feature called AI Mode. Powered by the advanced Gemini 2.5 Pro model, AI Mode transforms the traditional search experience into a fluid, conversational interaction, allowing users to explore complex topics more naturally and in greater depth.
Announced during Google’s annual I/O developer conference, AI Mode is designed to move beyond the limitations of keyword-based searches. Instead of delivering a list of links, the new system interprets the user’s intent, summarises relevant information from across the web, and presents it in an accessible, dialogue-based format. The approach aims to make search more intuitive and context-aware, particularly for complex or multi-step questions.
At the core of this upgrade is Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google’s most capable multimodal AI model to date. With a large context window and advanced reasoning abilities, Gemini 2.5 is able to synthesise detailed information, recognise nuances, and maintain coherence over extended conversations. It supports both text and image inputs, and in future iterations, it is expected to incorporate video and audio.
Key features of AI Mode include Deep Search, which allows the system to perform background research across a broader range of sources before responding. This yields answers that resemble expert-level reports rather than brief search summaries. Another feature, Live Search, lets users point their phone cameras at objects or scenes to ask questions in real time, merging the digital and physical worlds more closely.
AI Mode also brings personalised assistance, integrating with Gmail, Google Docs, and Drive for users who opt in. For instance, a query about upcoming travel plans could pull directly from a user’s emailed flight confirmations and itinerary documents, delivering a tailored response within seconds.
However, the launch has raised questions about the future of web traffic. By providing comprehensive answers directly in search, AI Mode may reduce the number of users clicking through to original websites. Content publishers have expressed concern that this could undercut ad revenues and readership. Google has acknowledged these worries and indicated it is developing new methods to surface and credit original content creators within AI-generated answers.
Currently rolling out in the United States, AI Mode is expected to expand to additional regions in the coming months. While still in an experimental phase, early user feedback has been positive, especially among those searching for help with complex decisions such as financial planning, health information, or academic research.
The introduction of AI Mode signals a clear shift in the direction of online search. Rather than simply being a gateway to information, Google’s engine is becoming a knowledgeable assistant, capable of reasoning, summarising, and conversing. As AI continues to evolve, this model may well become the new standard for how people access and understand the web.
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