Google is officially rolling out AI Mode, a new feature that transforms the traditional search engine into a more conversational, chatbot-style experience. Announced at Google I/O 2025 and now available for all U.S. users over 13, AI Mode builds on the company’s Gemini generative AI model to deliver smarter, more contextual results. From answering layered questions to integrating your email and calendar, AI Mode marks a major shift in how we explore information online—and it’s just the beginning.

Key Points

• Full Rollout of AI Mode: After testing earlier this year, AI Mode is now live for English users in the U.S. and integrated into the standard Google Search experience via a new tab.
• Powered by Gemini: The feature uses a custom version of Google’s Gemini AI model to generate conversational, multi-source answers.
• Smarter Searching: AI Mode breaks down complex queries using a “query fan-out technique” and delivers detailed answers with relevant links.
• Deep Integration with Google Apps: If permitted, the AI can access Gmail and Calendar data to personalize answers—like restaurant suggestions based on trip itineraries.
• Deep Search and Visual Features: Future updates will include Deep Search, which uses AI reasoning to analyze hundreds of queries at once, and new tools like shopping assistance and data visualizations for finance and sports.
• Conversational Search Trends: The shift reflects broader changes in how people search—moving from keyword-based queries to full conversations.
• Skepticism and Caution: Experts warn that AI Mode won’t suit every search need. For simple or fact-based queries, standard search might still be more efficient.

Key Quotes

• Sundar Pichai, Google CEO:
  “AI Mode is where we will first bring our frontier capabilities into search.”
• Elizabeth Reid, VP & Head of Search, Google:
  “This is the future of Google search, a search that goes beyond information to intelligence.”
  “Over time, we’ll graduate many of AI Mode’s cutting-edge features and capabilities directly into the core search experience.”
• Eugene Levin, President of Semrush:
  “I think the percentage of people who willingly want to use AI Mode for everything is going to be surprisingly low.”
  “There are different types of questions. And for each type of question, there is a best user interface, user experience.”

Implications

AI Mode is more than a tech upgrade—it’s a fundamental reimagining of how people interact with search engines. Google is betting big on a future where users want conversation, not just links. However, its success may hinge on how well users adapt—and how wisely they choose between traditional and AI-powered search methods. With AI Mode, Google is clearly signaling that search will be increasingly intelligent, personalized, and integrated. But the jury’s still out on whether every user wants their search engine to feel like a chatbot.

Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/googles-ai-mode-is-changing-how-you-search-so-what-is-it/

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