Googling your late-night questions is about to become far more advanced than typing a few keywords, according to a new Google announcement. At its recent developer conference, Google revealed it is overhauling its signature search tool with an 'intelligent search box,' an update that rolled out globally on Tuesday.
How AI Mode Works
Traditionally, users type a question or topic into Google's search bar and receive a list of relevant links. Now, the slim search bar can expand into a long, continuous conversation powered by Google's AI model, Gemini 3.5 Flash, if users select 'AI Mode,' a feature introduced last year. AI Mode is now prominently displayed next to the magnifying glass icon when users start a search. Users can also upload photographs and videos as part of their query.
For example, when a user uploaded a vacation photo, AI Mode immediately identified it as Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, correctly.
Expanded AI Capabilities
On May 19 at the Google I/O developer conference, leadership announced a major update to the search engine. This update builds on Google's AI capabilities, which in 2024 introduced 'AI Overview' summaries at the top of results. While users could circumvent that feature, the new updates make AI-generated answers even more prominent and interactive.
In a demo featured in Google's blog post, a user asks: 'What exercises help with posture? I sit a lot during the day.' AI Mode responds with a bulleted list of exercises targeting mobility and strength, complete with website citations. It also allows follow-up questions, such as 'How frequently should I do these?' Links appear in a small box on the right, while the AI Overview occupies much of the screen.
User Control and Accuracy
A Google spokesperson confirmed that users will still see blue links on the search results page alongside AI responses, and that AI Mode does not activate automatically. Users can opt out by hitting the 'return' key after making a query instead of selecting 'AI Mode,' or toggle to the 'Web' option in the menu bar for a traditional search experience.
However, AI Mode is not always accurate. Google's AI famously once advised adding glue to a pizza recipe and eating one rock per day. The model includes a disclaimer that 'AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses,' but many users do not fact-check outside Google. A 2025 Pew Research Center study found that people are half as likely to click on a result when they see an AI Overview summary, and only 1% of 900 surveyed adults clicked on a link within an AI summary. News publishers report that AI Overview has cratered traffic to their websites.
Advanced Features and Future Rollout
Beyond answering questions, users can employ the search engine for sophisticated Google Alert research. Using what Google calls 'agents,' users can instruct Google to monitor announcements about a favorite musician with a query like: 'Keep me updated when any of my favorite singers announce collabs,' and receive notifications. This feature will first roll out to AI Pro and Ultra subscribers later this summer.
These updates encourage users to stay within Google for all their queries, benefiting the company. Google reports that 1 billion monthly users are using its AI mode. Whether this future alarms or excites users depends on their trust in AI-generated search results.
