Google Tests New 'AI Mode' for Search, Powered by Gemini 2.0

Google Search 'AI Mode' has started internal testing, report says

A sneak peek at what Google has in store for Search. Credit: Silas Stein / Picture Alliance / Getty Images Google is reportedly testing its "AI Mode" for Search internally, which means it might be released soon. According to 9to5Google, which saw an internal company email, Google employees have been invited to test out AI Mode for Search. A screenshot published by the outlet shows the tool appearing like a supercharged version of AI Overviews combined with the Gemini chatbot interface, all geared toward asking more open-ended questions. It seems Google is continuing its effort to put Gemini and AI-powered features absolutely everywhere. Gemini is now embedded in TVs, Androids, Search, Google Workspace apps, as a standalone app, and more. Just this week, Google announced expanded access to its reasoning model Gemini 2.0 Thinking, and a new Gemini 2.0 Pro model for advanced coding. Based on 9to5Google's screenshot, AI Mode would be a tab that sits next to the News, Images, Shopping, etc. filters. The early look shows a long answer to the question "How many boxes of spaghetti should I buy to feed 6 adults and 10 children, and have enough for seconds?" that showcases its reasoning capabilities, like calculating amount of spaghetti needed based on portion size for kids and adults, etc. Notably, AI Mode takes up the entire page on Google Search. Since it's a screenshot, we don't know if links appear below it, but either way it covers a lot of real estate that sites normally fight tooth and nail to stake their claim on. Instead, in a module on the right, there are links to three sites, presumably where AI Mode sourced its information. The advent of AI Overviews similarly irked publishers who feared the aggregated AI-generated summaries would whittle down traffic to their own sites. Even more space taken up by AI Mode might ramp up concerns. That said, AI Mode is reportedly designed with more exploratory questions in mind that can't be easily answered by a quick Google Search. Examples given to employees invited to test AI Mode include, "Compare wool, down, and synthetic jackets in terms of insulation, water resistance, and durability" and "What do I need to get started with aquascaping?"

Google employees are testing new AI Mode search feature

Google is working on integrating more AI features into its search engine. The company is now having its U.S. employees test a new feature called "AI Mode." The publication 9-to-5 Google uncovered an internal email detailing that employees had been invited to dogfood (test), the AI Mode, which is intended to be a form of intelligent search embedded within Google Search. The feature adds "easy-to-digest breakdowns with links to explore content across the web." Recommended Videos Function-wise, it allows you to ask more "open-ended" and "exploratory questions" in search as a more familiar atmosphere. You will be able to get AI-generated overview-style responses within the search in return, the publication noted. The AI Mode feature is also powered by Gemini 2.0, which as of today is available for free across Google's platforms. However, the feature will run a custom version that will enable "advanced reasoning and thinking capabilities." Google's internal email gave examples of queries that AI mode can assist with: "How many boxes of spaghetti should I buy to feed 6 adults and 10 children, and have enough for seconds?" "Compare wool, down, and synthetic jackets in terms of insulation, water resistance, and durability" "What do I need to get started with aquascaping?" Follow-up: "What are some nearby stores to buy supplies?" AI Mode works in desktop browser search and mobile. Its main interface is reminiscent of the Gemini chatbot, while the header of the page still looks like Google Search, with filters for Images, News, Shopping, etc. The interface includes a "dig deeper" text box for you to continue your contextual search if you choose. To the right of the interface, there are links for search results- overall showing how the feature blends Google Search and Google's AI features. 9-to-5 Google previously uncovered the feature's mobile APK in December 2024 and got a detailed look at how AI Mode works using voice input. At that time, Google was previously looking at OpenAI's ChatGPT Search as its biggest competition. Since then new challengers have surfaced. The company's CEO, Sundar Pichai said in a recent earnings call that Google will be investing up to $75 billion into AI, in efforts in making 2025 "one of the biggest years for Search innovation yet."

Google starts testing new Search 'AI Mode' internally - Here's an early look at it

As previously spotted, Google Search is working on a new "AI Mode" that offers a "persistent place" to ask more "open-ended / exploratory questions" and get generated AI Overview-style responses. Powered by Gemini 2.0, Google has begun testing this experience with employees. 9to5Google today saw an internal email that invites Google employees to dogfood (test) this "AI Mode." Google describes the new experience as "Search intelligently research[ing] for you - organizing information into easy-to-digest breakdowns with links to explore content across the web." AI Mode is aimed at open-ended and exploratory questions that are "not well served by" today's Search results. This includes queries that ask Search for advice and comparisons, as well as exchanges that allow for follow-up questions. Google gave employees some example queries that AI Mode is aimed at: AI Mode is powered by a "custom version" of Gemini 2.0 that allows for "advanced reasoning and thinking capabilities." The user interface is not final, but there's a screenshot of the "early release" experience available to Googlers today. Like before, you type in a query and press search. What's new is an "AI Mode" option that appears alongside the existing filters for Images, News, Shopping, etc. This takes you to a chatbot-like interface that's somewhat similar to Gemini. What you searched is noted first with the answer appearing below in a fullscreen UI that's a bit more vast than today's AI Overviews. It lacks the traditional 10 blue links underneath, but links to "dig deeper on the web" currently appear as a card on the right. This UI is similar to the AI Overviews approach introduced last year, and meant to get a richer design in future versions of AI Mode. There's a text field at the bottom of the answer to "Ask a follow up..." question, with the Google app on Android and iOS also offering voice input. Google Search's new AI Mode is currently being tested with US Googlers. It might launch this year as CEO Sundar Pichai said yesterday that "2025 is going to be one of the biggest years for Search innovation yet."

Google's upcoming AI Mode wants to be absolutely sure you never look at Page 2 of search results again

Summary Google could introduce a new AI Mode that improves the Search experience. The feature is now being tested internally, allowing users to have a conversation to get better results for queries. There's even the option to ask follow-up questions to get more refined answers. Ever since tech took a huge leap, diving head first into AI, companies have been pushing forward at an astronomical rate in an attempt to be the most dominant in the space. While OpenAI has pretty much become the face of this new movement thanks to ChatGPT, Google is doing its best to get its own Gemini model out to more people. Related 5 essential steps Google needs to take for Gemini to rule AI Improved visuals, agentic evolution, and smart hardware needed Posts 1 The model is spreading through the brand's products and services like wildfire, providing new improvements and features here and there like an improved notification panel or getting access to Gemini from your lock screen. For the most part, we can't go a day without hearing about Gemini, and now we're getting news that Google Search is getting another small update that will allow users to better harness AI. More and more AI Source: 9to5Google The AI Mode for Google Search was first spotted towards the end of last year, and it appears that testing has progressed even further, with Google employees now being invited to try out the feature (via 9to5Google). Google Search for the most part, works reasonably well if you have a solid query. But in its current form, it can't really handle questions or hypotheticals all that well. That's because if the data isn't there, then it can't really provide any information on the subject. This new AI Mode will provide users with a new way to find what they're looking for, being able to ask questions and having a more fluid experience that expands beyond the traditional search that we've grown accustomed to. Users will even be able to ask follow-up questions in order to better refine the conversation and get more concise answers than the ones that were initially provided. With that said, this is still a work in progress, so there's no telling what the final form will look like or how it will act when it is made available to the public. Luckily, we won't have to wait too long to find out what's next for Google. While the brand does tend to drop updates regularly through most of its projects, it announces major features and updates at its annual I/O developer conference. This event typically takes place sometime in Q2, which means we aren't that far away from Google's next major event.

Google Search Might Soon Answer Complex Queries With AI

Google Search's new mode will reportedly offer conversational responses Google has reportedly started internally testing a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature for its Search platform. Dubbed AI Mode, the feature was first rumoured in December 2024. It is said to open a full-screen interface where users can ask complex and exploratory queries, and the AI responds in a conversational manner and displays URLs in case they want to dive further into the topic. This feature is reportedly separate from AI Overviews which appears on top of the search results in Google Search. According to a 9to5Google report, the Mountain View-based tech giant is dogfooding (testing a product or a service internally) the AI Mode currently. Citing an internal email to Google employees, the publication claimed that the company is now inviting employees to use and test the feature. The reported email describes AI Mode as "Search intelligently research[ing] for you - organising information into easy-to-digest breakdowns with links to explore content across the web." Google reportedly provided example queries to help users understand the best use case of the tool. One such example states, "How many boxes of spaghetti should I buy to feed 6 adults and 10 children, and have enough for seconds?" Google reportedly also revealed in the email that AI Mode is powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.0 that is capable of "advanced reasoning and thinking capabilities." Finally, the email also included a screenshot of the user interface. This is reportedly considered an early interface and not the final version. The feature is said to work on mobile as well. Based on the screenshot, the AI mode will be placed among other filters, such as Images, Videos, and News. Once a user taps on it, a full-screen interface opens where the Gemini-powered AI chatbot conversationally answers the query. On the right side, it also displays URLs from where it sourced the information. Users can click on any of the links to dive into the topic. At the bottom, there is a text field which allows users to ask a follow-up query. The mobile apps will also allow users to access the microphone to verbally add the prompt. Thumbs-up and down icons are also added at the bottom, letting users provide feedback about the quality of responses. Notably, Google has not officially announced the feature, and it is unclear when it might roll out to users.

This is our first look at Google Search's upcoming AI Mode

The AI Mode is powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.0 with advanced reasoning and thinking capabilities. Google is developing an AI mode for Search that is expected to offer a more conversational search experience, helping users ask follow-up questions to refine their queries. We first spotted references to this feature in a teardown of the Google app last October and got our first look at the new button to launch the AI Mode on mobile later in the year. Now, Google has reportedly started testing the feature internally, and we have a better idea of how it may work upon release.

Google Is About to Make Its AI Search Results Even Better

I'm Finally Leaving Google Chrome, and These Are the 4 Reasons Why You've undoubtedly seen the new AI overviews that Google uses to help you answer your questions. Well, if an internal email is to be believed, the company wants to make its AI search even mightier with an enhanced version of its Gemini assistant. Google's New AI Search Will Unravel and Answer Your Complex Questions As 9to5Google reported, the search giant is sending around an internal email asking employees to "dogfood" a new Google search AI tool. This new feature will use a new Gemini 2.0 model, which the email claims features "advanced reasoning and thinking capabilities." The main goal behind this new tool is to provide answers to questions that Google's regular search algorithms are poor at returning answers for. The company gave some examples of what kind of questions you can ask this new search tool: "How many boxes of spaghetti should I buy to feed 6 adults and 10 children, and have enough for seconds?" "Compare wool, down, and synthetic jackets in terms of insulation, water resistance, and durability" "What do I need to get started with aquascaping?" Follow-up: "What are some nearby stores to buy supplies?" As you can tell by the last prompt, the new search tool will allow you to ask follow-up questions, much like an AI chatbot. It seems that Google wants to turn its search tool into something you can ask things of, like asking an expert for their opinion on a specific topic, with room to enquire further about what Gemini replies with. Right now, there doesn't seem to be any planned release date for this new feature. It's currently undergoing testing, and even the UI that 9to5Google managed to spot was in an early testing stage, so it likely won't be released soon. However, there's a good chance it'll be released sometime this year, so keep your eyes peeled for more.