Google is fully committing to AI Mode, its search experience powered by artificial intelligence. In recent hours, the company has introduced a series of new features designed to closely resemble (almost) the online search experience provided by popular AI platforms, such as ChatGPT or its own Gemini. Furthermore, it has decided to take its global expansion a step further by making its use available for the first time in a European country.
Google has expanded the reach of its AI Mode to the United Kingdom. This move represents an important step in Google’s expansion strategy, bringing advanced search capabilities to a new key market in Europe, in addition to its presence established a couple of months ago in the United States and India.
The launch in the United Kingdom is particularly significant. As one of the most influential technology markets, the United Kingdom serves as a substantial foothold for the rollout of new Google features in Europe. This move will allow Google to gather valuable data and refine the performance of AI Mode in a new environment before expanding further into other regions.
However, as mentioned, there is more.
The developments unveiled by Google aim to transform its search engine, making it a tool that is more intelligent, personalized, and conversational, blurring the lines with generative AI platforms. According to the company’s announcement, the evolution of AI Mode seeks to address the growing demands of a digital society, offering new advanced solutions for any user who needs to solve complex issues… in a straightforward manner.
One of the most noteworthy new features is the ability to pose complex questions about images and PDF files. This functionality, already available in the Google mobile application for users in the United States and India and soon to be extended to desktop browsers, allows users to upload documents such as presentations, studies, or school notes in PDF format and make detailed inquiries.
AI Mode will analyze the content of the file, cross-reference it with relevant information on the web, and provide a concise response, accompanied by prominent links for further exploration. Google has confirmed that, in the coming months, support will expand to other file types, including those stored in Google Drive.
Google has also introduced Canvas. This new feature within AI Mode enables users to make plans and organize information over multiple sessions within a dynamic sidebar panel. For example, Google explains that by requesting a study plan for an exam, the AI will begin to structure the content, enabling the user to refine it through follow-up questions. Canvas is designed to be a lasting space where users may resume their projects at any time, whether it be for academic preparation or travel planning.
The integration of Search Live with video input, incorporating advanced capabilities from Project Astra, represents a major leap in real-time assistance. This feature allows users to have a two-way conversation with AI Mode while using the camera on their mobile device. In other words, users will have access to an assistant that can see what the user sees, and (as shown in the video) may engage in spoken dialogue in a natural way.
The objective is for Search Live to facilitate the understanding of complex concepts in real time, leveraging the visual context and providing instant access to useful web links. This functionality is being rolled out this week on mobile devices for U.S. users enrolled in the AI Mode Labs experiment.
Finally, Google is optimizing the browsing experience with a new integration of Lens and AI Mode in Chrome. Soon, when clicking on the browser’s address bar, the option “Ask Google about this page” will appear. This will allow users to select specific elements on any page or PDF they are viewing and receive an “AI Overview” (a summary of key information) directly in the sidebar. Moreover, users will be able to further explore their inquiry through AI Mode.
For instance, Google suggests that “you might be looking at a geometry problem and want to better understand one of the diagrams. Click on ‘Ask Google about this page’ in the address bar and select the diagram. You will receive an AI overview with a summary of the key information directly in the sidebar. And this week, you will be able to ask further questions via AI Mode, selecting AI Mode at the top of the Lens search results or by clicking the ‘Dive deeper’ button at the bottom of the AI overview.”
It should be noted that AI Mode, powered by a customized version of Google’s Gemini 2.5 model, enables users to engage with the search engine in a smoother and more natural manner. The value of AI Mode resides in its capacity to handle questions formulated in a natural and spontaneous way, making it ideal for scenarios such as comparing products, planning detailed trips, or understanding complex processes. For example, a user may ask: “Things to do in Madrid this weekend with friends. There are two of us, we are passionate about food, we enjoy music and art, but also a relaxed atmosphere.”
This expansion arrives at a time when there is growing concern among content creators and web publishers regarding how AI-generated responses are reducing clicks to their websites, since users can obtain information directly from the AI’s answer without needing to visit the original sources. Although Google contends that AI Overviews (and by extension AI Mode) lead users to a greater diversity of websites and that these clicks are of “higher quality,” the perception that Google’s generative experience is disrupting the Internet ecosystem (in which a search engine thrives on the work of media outlets and creators who are receiving less and less traffic) is becoming increasingly evident around the world.
Image: Google
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Δ