In a move to fend off the growing challenges from AI-powered search engines like Openai’s Chatgpt and Perplexity, Google (GOOG, GOOGL) has announced the rollout of its new AI Mode, available to users across the US. This feature is currently being tested through Google’s Labs program, offering a glimpse into the future of search technology.

What Is Google’s AI Mode?

AI Mode is a new feature that enables users to have conversational, AI-powered interactions directly within Google Search. This option, which users can opt into, appears directly beneath the search bar, alongside features such as Images, Videos, and Shopping. Unlike traditional search results, which display a list of ranked links, AI Mode offers a more intuitive, conversational style of searching that is back-and-forth.

As Robby Stein, the Vice President of Product for Google Search, puts it, “It allows you to ask whatever’s on your mind and have Google Search help you find helpful information.” Not only can users ask questions, but they can also ask follow-up questions, creating a dynamic and fluid conversation. Moreover, the feature supports various modes of input – users can speak to it or even take a photo to ask specific questions about the image.

How Does AI Mode Work?

While Google Search already integrates generative AI to some extent through AI Overviews that appear above the search results, AI Mode takes things further. Instead of simply listing search results, it provides responses in the form of bullet-point lists and sidebars, which link to relevant sources. This design is similar to AI-powered chatbots like Chatgpt and Perplexity, but it offers the added benefit of being directly embedded within the widely used Google Search page.

One of the standout features of Google’s AI Mode is its use of real-time search data combined with Google’s advanced Gemini models. By integrating the power of Google Search’s real-time systems with AI reasoning, users get responses that are not only highly relevant but also comprehensive. Whether it’s asking about the latest episode of your favourite TV show, planning a weekend getaway, or checking the weather forecast, Google’s AI Mode is designed to provide precise and informative answers.

Google’s AI-powered system works by making a plan to answer the question posed by the user. It then taps into various sources of information, such as Google’s vast knowledge graph, real-time search results, and location data. This process enables Google to deliver highly accurate, rich responses that are designed to be as useful as possible.

A Game-Changer for Search Engines?

The introduction of AI Mode is expected to change the way users interact with Google significantly. By allowing for a more interactive and personalised search experience, Google is positioning itself as a major player in the AI search market, challenging the dominance of other AI-powered search engines like Openai’s Chatgpt.

However, there are potential drawbacks for publishers who rely on referral traffic from Google. With AI Mode’s focus on providing direct answers to users’ questions, traditional search results and links may not be as prominent, potentially reducing the traffic that publishers get from Google Search. This could pose challenges for websites that rely on organic traffic generated through Google’s search rankings.

Google’s approach to integrating AI directly into search results could also raise questions about the future of traditional web searches, as users may become accustomed to receiving direct answers without ever needing to click through to a website. While this shift may benefit users by providing faster, more direct answers, it could disrupt the digital marketing landscape.

The Future of AI in Search

AI Mode represents just the beginning of Google’s deeper integration of AI into its search platform. As Google continues to refine and expand this feature, users can expect more advanced conversational interactions and personalized experiences. With the power of Google’s massive data infrastructure combined with AI models like Gemini, the potential for future improvements in AI search technology is enormous.

Ultimately, AI Mode could revolutionize the search process, making it more intuitive, efficient, and responsive. Whether it’s offering real-time travel recommendations, planning an event, or even helping users make decisions based on their location or preferences, Google’s AI Mode has the potential to become an indispensable tool for millions of users.

Conclusion

Google’s new AI Mode is poised to change the way we use search engines. With its conversational, interactive capabilities, it could set a new standard for how people find information online. As Google continues to improve this feature, it may become a significant competitor to other AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and Meta’s Meta AI. For now, users in the US can get a first look at this cutting-edge technology, and the future of search seems brighter and more interactive than ever before.