Google rolls out 'AI Mode' in major search engine overhaul

Greenwatch Desk Technology 2025-05-21, 10:38am

Google has launched a new "AI Mode" in the U.S. as part of its ongoing revamp of search, aiming to reshape how users find information online. Announced at its annual developer conference, the new feature allows users to interact with the search engine conversationally, like speaking with an expert.

This move marks a rapid expansion just two and a half months after limited testing via Google's Labs. The company is also integrating its advanced Gemini 2.5 AI model into search algorithms and testing tools like automatic concert ticket purchasing and live video-based search.

Google previewed a new pair of Android XR smart glasses—featuring a built-in AI assistant and camera—signaling a return to the smart glasses market. Designed with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, the glasses will compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban offering. No release date or price was announced.

The broader AI push builds on Google's "AI overviews," which now appear atop search results and are used by 1.5 billion people monthly. These summaries have shifted user behavior, leading to longer, more complex queries—but also to a 30% decline in clicks to external websites, per BrightEdge.

Despite concerns about misinformation and reduced web traffic, Google is moving forward amid rising competition from AI-powered alternatives like ChatGPT and Perplexity. The company insists this shift strengthens its dominance, with Google still receiving 136 billion monthly visits—far ahead of AI rivals.

Upcoming experiments will include AI-assisted booking through Project Mariner, video-based search, and deep topic exploration. A new $250/month "Ultra" subscription tier will offer premium AI tools and 30TB of storage, expanding beyond the current $20/month "Pro" plan.

Even Google's own AI admits that AI Mode is likely to increase its influence over online information access—while warning publishers of the potential impact on web traffic, reports UNB.