Google has officially launched its much-anticipated AI Mode in Google Search in India, entering the same arena as Perplexity AI. Currently available as an experiment in Google Labs, AI Mode aims to enhance the search experience by delivering comprehensive, AI-driven responses to both simple and complex queries.
At the heart of AI Mode is a customized version of Gemini 2.5, Google’s advanced large language model, designed to provide a more nuanced and intelligent search experience. Unlike traditional search methods, AI Mode can tackle longer and more intricate questions, synthesizing information to offer direct and detailed answers instead of merely presenting a list of links.
For instance, if you type, “Suggest the most eco-friendly way to commute to the office and include some good Italian restaurants on the way back,” AI Mode can understand the complexity of your request and provide a clear solution.
AI Mode: Beyond Complex Textual Queries
One of the standout features of this new search experience is its multimodal capability. Users can engage with AI Mode not only through text-based queries but also via voice and image inputs. Google emphasizes that this approach fosters a more natural and intuitive way to access information, accommodating various user preferences and search situations. For example, you can upload a picture of a potted plant from a store to retrieve all the relevant care information.
It's important to note that AI Mode will serve as an alternative to the standard Google Search. It will be accessible as a tab next to the ‘All’ tab, which will continue to provide the traditional web search experience, including web links, YouTube video links, and AI Overview for complex questions.
To use AI Mode, you'll need to visit Google Search Labs and enable it, as Google is currently offering it as an experimental feature, similar to AI Overview.
