Google unleashes ‘AI Mode’

Google has entered a new chapter in its transformation of online search with the wide release of “AI Mode,” a conversational search interface that aims to redefine how people access and interact with information online. Announced during its annual developers conference, the new mode is now available to all users in the United States. With AI Mode, search on Google becomes less about typing keywords and more like having a dynamic dialogue with an intelligent assistant capable of responding to broad and complex questions.

This new functionality is built on Google’s latest AI model, Gemini 2.5, which has been integrated directly into its search algorithms. Google has also signaled its intention to explore more ambitious AI-powered features in the near future, including the ability for AI to buy concert tickets on behalf of users, book restaurant reservations, and even interpret live video for search-related queries. These advances underscore Google’s goal of transforming its search engine into a more proactive, autonomous digital helper.

AI Mode’s broader launch comes just two and a half months after it was initially tested in Google’s Labs division. The speed at which it has been released to the public reflects Google’s growing confidence in the technology’s reliability and safety. While concerns around misinformation remain, the company believes it has reached a level of accuracy and stability that can support a full-scale rollout to the public.

The expansion of AI capabilities follows Google’s earlier introduction of “AI Overviews,” summaries generated by artificial intelligence that appear at the top of search results pages. These summaries have already begun to shift user behavior, encouraging longer and more complex queries. According to Google, over 1.5 billion people now engage with these AI-generated responses regularly—an indicator of changing expectations around how people want to receive information.

However, not everyone is celebrating the shift. A recent study by search optimization firm BrightEdge found that click-through rates from Google search results have dropped nearly 30% over the past year. This decline is attributed to users finding the information they need directly within AI-generated summaries, reducing their need to visit external websites. The result is a growing sense of concern among content creators and publishers who rely on search traffic to stay afloat.

Despite these challenges, Google continues to double down on its AI-first approach. It is preparing new tools for its Labs division, such as Project Mariner, which will test whether an AI agent can independently carry out tasks like purchasing tickets and managing schedules. Other experiments include giving users the option to grant Google’s AI access to their Gmail and other apps for a more personalized experience. Features like “Deep Search” and visual data renderings for sports and finance are also in development.

Google is also expanding its premium offerings with a new “Ultra” subscription package priced at $250 per month. This plan includes access to its most advanced AI tools and a massive 30 terabytes of storage—significantly more than the current “AI Pro” plan, which offers two terabytes for $20 per month. The company is clearly betting that professional users and businesses will see the value in deeper AI integration and advanced data handling capabilities.

Despite rising competition from AI-powered search alternatives such as ChatGPT and Perplexity, Google remains the dominant force in online search, boasting 136 billion monthly visits compared to ChatGPT’s 4 billion. Even Google’s own AI Mode admits that its presence will likely strengthen the company’s influence over how information is accessed online. As the AI arms race accelerates, Google is positioning itself to remain the primary gateway to the digital world—even if it means reshaping the entire structure of the internet in the process.