Google introduced a dedicated ‘AI Mode’ in Search last month, initially limited to Google One AI Premium subscribers. Now, the company is rolling out AI Mode to free users in the US. To try it out, visit Google Labs at labs.google.com/search/aimode and enable the feature.
For those unfamiliar, AI Mode in Google Search appears as a separate tab where users can ask open-ended questions and receive detailed answers powered by a custom version of the Gemini 2.0 model with web integration. It’s ideal for queries that require explanations or involve follow-up questions.
AI-generated answers in AI Mode also include referenced links and citations, offering transparency similar to tools like Perplexity. Essentially, Google is integrating a Perplexity-style experience directly into its Search product through AI Mode.
In addition, Google has introduced visual search capabilities within AI Mode. Powered by Google Lens and a custom version of Gemini, users can upload images or capture videos and ask questions using voice. According to Google, AI Mode utilizes the multimodal capabilities of Gemini 2.0 to accurately understand context and respond to visual queries.
It’s important to note that AI Mode in Google Search is distinct from AI Overview, which appears above web links in the “All” tab. While AI Overview is now also powered by the Gemini 2.0 model in the US, it doesn’t support follow-up questions. Earlier, AI Overview faced criticism for generating inaccurate and potentially harmful information such as suggesting adding glue to pizza or drinking urine to treat kidney stones.
With the improved Gemini 2.0 model now integrated, Google aims to enhance both AI Mode and AI Overview to deliver more accurate and helpful results to users.
