Unsurprisingly, Google I/O 2025 gave pride of place to artificial intelligence. The Mountain View giant notably unveiled AI Mode, a new online search mode powered by AI. Powered by Gemini, this mode was previously reserved for members of the experimental Labs program. Now, the search mode is available to all Internet users in the United States.
With AI Mode, Google is obviously seeking to address the search functions of ChatGPT, Claude, and others. Google fears that generative AI will eventually replace traditional search engines. These increasingly popular chatbots represent a threat to Google's hegemony.
This is why the company is making every effort to evolve its engine by incorporating AI tools. The mode follows the rollout of AI Overviews, a feature that displays clear and concise summaries at the top of search results to save users time. The feature experienced some major hiccups, but Google has continued its rollout worldwide, including in Europe.
What is Google's AI Mode?
Through a new tab, Google's search engine will use a Gemini 2.5 AI model to assist users in their searches. To launch your searches, you will speak to an AI agent through a conversational interface similar to that of another chatbot, such as ChatGPT. In short, the robot will do the research for you. No need to consult a long list of websites to answer your questions. As part of its online searches, Google's AI breaks down the user's question into "a multitude of queries". It then retrieves the results to assemble them into a coherent whole.
The interface will generate enriched responses, composed of graphs, sources, links, and even tables to facilitate data visualization. Like ChatGPT, Google AI Mode searches the web and collects information that will answer users' specific queries. For Liz Reid, head of research, it is "the future of search on Google." The mode also includes an in-depth search function, which is activated to answer the most complex questions. The search engine can "perform hundreds of searches, analyze scattered information, and produce a comprehensive, expert-level, and fully sourced report in minutes—saving you hours of work." The AI is also capable of processing data in real time. For example, it can find the cheapest tickets for an event, or even restaurant reservations. The mode will also assist users in their online shopping trips. You can use text or images to carry out your search requests. The mode also incorporates a visual intelligence system on smartphones. It allows you to use your device's camera to perform real-time searches. By simply pointing your camera at an object, Google's AI analyzes the image and provides instant contextual information. This feature relies on Google Lens for visual recognition. The AI will then suggest a series of content, such as websites or videos, related to what you have shown it. This feature promises to be particularly useful when assembling furniture or repairing any device. Google claims that "AI mode is our most powerful AI search, with more advanced reasoning and multimodality.".
How Google plans to use your private data
As Google explains, AI Mode is also capable of digging into your apps, such as Gmail or Google Maps, to enrich and personalize its responses. Artificial intelligence will be able to calibrate its responses based on your past searches, the content of your emails, or places you've already visited. This data will allow Google to better understand your tastes, habits, and interests. If you're planning a weekend in Barcelona, AI Mode can suggest restaurants with terraces suited to your tastes, based on your past searches and the places you frequent. It can also suggest events near your hotel when you're there, taking into account your flight and accommodation reservations.
Before consulting your app data, the AI will obviously ask for your consent. If you refuse, AI Mode will not allow itself to snoop on your personal information. Additionally, you "can choose to connect or disconnect it at any time.".
Source: Google
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