Google is launching a new 'AI Mode' in Search, designed to answer complex questions using Gemini 2.0. Is it a game-changer or just another AI chatbot? Find out how it works and how to access it.
Imagine a search engine that not only answers your questions but also anticipates your follow-up queries, providing a comprehensive understanding of any topic directly within the search interface. That's the promise of Google's new “AI Mode,” an experimental feature designed to tackle complex, multi-part questions. This feature is Google's attempt to compete with services like Perplexity AI and OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search.
AI Mode is an experimental feature rolling out to Google One AI Premium subscribers through Search Labs. It leverages a custom version of Gemini 2.0, Google's advanced AI model, to provide more detailed and insightful answers to complex queries. This feature is particularly useful for questions that require exploration and comparisons, thanks to its advanced reasoning, thinking, and multimodal capabilities.
For example, instead of conducting multiple searches to compare the sleep tracking capabilities of different devices, you can ask AI Mode: “What’s the difference in sleep tracking features between a smart ring, smartwatch, and tracking mat?” The feature will then provide a detailed comparison, complete with links to the sources it used to compile the information.
AI Mode employs a “query fan-out” technique. This involves issuing multiple related searches concurrently across various data sources, compiling the results into an easy-to-understand response. This allows users to access not only web content but also real-time sources such as the Knowledge Graph and shopping data for billions of products.
Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google Search, explained, “What we’re seeing in testing is people are asking questions that are about twice the query length of traditional search, and they’re also following up and asking follow up questions about a quarter of the time… And so they’re really getting at these maybe harder questions, ones that need more back and forth, and we think, it creates an expanded opportunity to do more with Google search, and that’s what we’re really excited about.”
Google emphasizes its commitment to factuality and responsible deployment. Stein noted, “The model has learned to really prioritize factuality and backing up what it says through information that can be verified, and that’s really important, and it pays extra attention to really sensitive areas… So this might be health, as an example, and where it’s not confident, it actually might just respond with a list of web links and web URLs, because that’s most helpful in the moment.”
However, Google acknowledges that AI Mode is still in its early stages and is likely to make mistakes. As with any cutting-edge AI technology, continuous refinement and improvement are necessary.
If you are a Google One AI Premium subscriber, you can access AI Mode by:
On mobile, you can open the Google app and tap the “AI Mode” icon below the Search bar on the home screen.
In addition to AI Mode, Google has also launched Gemini 2.0 for AI Overviews in the U.S. This enhancement enables AI Overviews to handle more challenging questions, including those related to coding, advanced math, and multimodal queries. Furthermore, users no longer need to be signed in to access AI Overviews, and the feature is now available to teen users.
Google aims to provide users with comprehensive answers to complex questions, reducing the need for multiple searches and manual information gathering. As this technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how it reshapes our interaction with information and the web.
Google's AI Mode? It's like that kid in class who always tries to answer the teacher's questions, sometimes hits the mark, but often just rambles. It's ambitious, sure, but is it truly groundbreaking, or just another shiny object to distract us from the fact that we’re still sifting through endless search results?
But, let's put aside the cynicism for a moment. Imagine AI Mode not just answering questions, but crafting personalized learning experiences. Picture this: a student researching the American Civil War. Instead of a generic summary, AI Mode generates an interactive simulation where the student can make decisions as historical figures, experiencing the consequences firsthand. Or, consider a chef looking for recipe ideas. AI Mode could analyze their pantry, dietary restrictions, and skill level to create a unique, step-by-step cooking class tailored just for them.
Forget passive consumption; this is about active participation and learning. It's about transforming Google from a search engine into a personalized guide, leading us through the complexities of knowledge with precision and flair. Now, that's something to be excited about.
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