Google is set to revolutionize its iconic Search app with an AI Mode, making searches more interactive and conversational. According to insights from 9to5 Google, hidden code within the app reveals this new feature, referred to internally as AIM.
It blends Google Search with elements of Gemini AI and Google Lens to offer a more dynamic, multimodal experience.
What Is AI Mode in Google Search?
AI Mode aims to transform traditional searches into a dialogue. Instead of the familiar list of results, users can interact directly with Search responses, ask follow-up questions, and refine answers in real time.
It brings a conversational interface similar to Gemini Live, Google’s advanced AI assistant.
Notably, AIM extends beyond text-based interaction. With integrated Google Lens capabilities, users can upload or snap photos and query directly about them.
For instance, pointing at a product or place could prompt a detailed, AI-driven explanation or recommendations. Voice-based searches also gain enhancements, enabling users to interrupt or clarify their queries naturally.
How AI Mode Differs From Gemini
AI Mode and Gemini share overlapping features, but they aren’t identical. While Gemini Live focuses on being a standalone conversational AI, AI Mode appears as an augmentation of the Google Search experience.
One key difference is the multimodal design of AI Mode, combining text, voice, and image inputs seamlessly.
For example, users might upload an image, ask about it via text, and refine the answer using voice commands—all in one fluid interaction.
Still, the similarities with Gemini suggest Google might integrate AI Mode as part of a broader Gemini ecosystem.
Such a move could reshape Google Search, turning it into a more intelligent, context-aware platform.
Where Will AI Mode Appear?
AI Mode will reportedly be accessible through a new tab in the Google app’s bottom navigation bar. Early placeholders in the code hint at playful touches, such as a winking emoticon as its icon.
This design signals Google’s efforts to make AI Mode feel approachable and intuitive. The feature is expected to work across various input types, ensuring users can choose how they interact.
What Could This Mean for Google Search?
The introduction of AI Mode aligns with Google’s broader push to integrate AI deeply into its ecosystem.
By combining the analytical power of Google Lens, the conversational skills of Gemini, and the massive reach of Search, Google may create a unified platform that redefines how we find information.
This evolution could significantly alter user expectations. Instead of relying on lists of links, users may begin expecting direct, thoughtful answers to their questions.
Imagine asking, “What’s the best way to fix this?” while pointing your phone at a broken object—and receiving a step-by-step guide within seconds.
A Step Toward the Future
AI Mode feels like a natural next step for Google. By merging conversational AI, visual understanding, and traditional search, it stands to change how we interact with the world’s most-used search engine.
While it may seem like a rival to Gemini Live, it could just as easily be the foundation for Gemini’s eventual dominance.
