Google Unveils AI Mode: A Revolutionary Chatbot Experience for Enhanced Search Interactions

Google is once again transforming its Search. Almost a year after the introduction of AI Overviews to users in the United States, the company is set to unveil a specialized AI tab for its search function. The new AI Mode is powered by the Gemini 2.0 model that Google has refined to efficiently gather and categorize web-based information. The results are delivered through a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of asking additional questions. In essence, it’s a significant reply to ChatGPT Search.

«Our vision for [AI Mode] is to enable users to search seamlessly for anything,» explains Robby Stein, Google’s Vice President of Product for Search. Stein notes that AI Mode emerged from insights gained from user feedback regarding AI Overviews. After the rollout to over 1 billion users, many have expressed a desire for more AI-generated summaries; indeed, it appears that some users include «AI» in their search queries to prompt an AI Overview from Google.

AI Mode provides just that functionality. When utilizing this feature, Gemini applies a «query fan-out» strategy to execute multiple simultaneous searches across various subjects and data sources. It will also leverage Google’s proprietary data systems, including the company’s Knowledge Graph, to augment the online information it retrieves.

In the current iteration of AI Mode available to Google One AI Premium subscribers, not all components for the feature have been fully implemented, but the aim is to create a visually engaging experience. For example, if you inquire about a comparison of various sleep trackers, users may soon witness Gemini generating a comparison chart. Importantly, Google plans to highlight sources more effectively in AI Mode compared to its current format with AI Overviews. As illustrated in the shared screenshots, links to websites will prominently showcase images. Furthermore, in cases where AI Mode is uncertain about providing a definitive answer, it will revert to presenting a standard list of search results.

During testing, Stein indicates that Google has observed users engaging with AI Mode differently than with a conventional search engine. Generally, testers composed queries that were about twice as long and followed up with questions approximately 25% of the time. «We notice that users are presenting more complex inquiries and are also returning to clarify, deepen their understanding, and engage further.»

If the concept of AI Mode feels familiar, it’s because it shares some functionalities with Google’s Deep Research tool. Similar to that feature, AI Mode constructs a plan before addressing your query, but users won’t have to wait extended periods, such as half an hour, for a reply. «Our aim for this version is to provide a service that people can utilize daily, on the go, and receive quick responses while they wait,» explains Stein.

For Google One AI Premium subscribers, the testing of AI Mode is open today on both desktop and mobile platforms. For other users, Google is implementing several improvements to AI Overviews to fill the gap.

Upon the introduction of Gemini 2.0 late last year, Google highlighted the enhancement of AI Overviews with the new model as a key objective. If you’re in the United States, the next time you pose a math or programming inquiry using Search, the platform will utilize Gemini 2.0 to produce the related AI Overview. It will also employ this system for multi-modal queries. Stein affirms that users can anticipate quicker and more accurate responses, and in the future, the system will be tailored for a wider range of inquiries.

Additionally, Google is broadening access to AI Overviews. In nearly every region where it’s available, teenagers can now start using this feature, and there’s no longer a need to log into a Google account to view the summaries.