Google's AI Mode: A Smarter Search Experience?

03/05/2025 AI Technology

Google is stepping up its AI game with the launch of "AI Mode" in Search, an experimental feature designed to give you more comprehensive and conversational answers. Think of it as Google's answer to the likes of Perplexity AI and ChatGPT Search.

What's the big deal? AI Mode lets you ask complex, multi-part questions and follow-ups, digging deeper into topics without having to juggle multiple searches. It's like having a super-smart research assistant right in your search bar.

How Does It Work?

This new feature, powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.0, is rolling out to Google One AI Premium subscribers through Search Labs. It's particularly handy for those questions that require in-depth exploration and comparisons, thanks to its advanced reasoning and multimodal capabilities.

Imagine you're trying to decide between a smart ring, smartwatch, and tracking mat for sleep tracking. With AI Mode, you can ask: "What's the difference in sleep tracking features between a smart ring, smartwatch, and tracking mat?" The feature will then provide a detailed comparison, complete with links to relevant articles. You can even follow up with questions like, "What happens to your heart rate during deep sleep?" to continue your research.

According to Google, AI Mode uses a "query fan-out" technique. In other words, it launches multiple related searches simultaneously across various data sources, bringing the results together into a clear and concise response.

Why is Google Doing This?

Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google Search, explained that users are already asking more complex questions with AI Overviews. They want AI-powered answers for a wider range of searches. AI Mode aims to provide just that.

Google is prioritizing accuracy and backing up its answers with verifiable information, especially in sensitive areas like health. If the system isn't confident, it might simply provide a list of relevant web links.

Important Note: Google acknowledges that AI Mode is still in its early stages and will likely make mistakes. But they are committed to refining the user experience and expanding its functionality.

What's Next?

Google plans to make the experience more visual and incorporate information from a wider range of sources, including user-generated content. They're also teaching the model to determine when to add a hyperlink or prioritize images/videos.

How to Access AI Mode: Google One AI Premium subscribers can opt into Search Labs and then enter a question in the Search bar and tapping the “AI Mode” tab. Or, they can navigate directly to google.com/aimode to access the feature. On mobile, they can open the Google app and tap the “AI Mode” icon below the Search bar on the home screen.

In addition to AI Mode, Google has launched Gemini 2.0 for AI Overviews in the U.S. AI Overviews can now handle more complex questions, including coding, advanced math, and multimodal queries. Plus, you no longer need to be signed in to access AI Overviews, and the feature is now available to teen users as well.

So, is AI Mode the future of search? It's still early days, but it's definitely an exciting step towards a more intelligent and conversational search experience.