Google has officially teased its new all-AI web search mode, dubbed “AI Mode,” which will give users a customized Gemini 2.0-powered chatbot interface to ask questions and get answers. The experimental mode is currently available as an opt-in Google Labs feature, allowing users to access it by clicking on the “Labs” tab.
According to Robby Stein, VP of product for search, AI Mode offers more advanced reasoning and thinking capabilities than traditional AI Overviews, enabling users to ask nuanced questions that would have required multiple searches in the past. The mode generates responses based on input queries and collects data from multiple web searches.
While Google hasn’t confirmed whether AI-first-by-default search is its intended goal, it cites user satisfaction with AI Overviews as a reason for promoting the new feature. Young users are particularly enthusiastic about AI Overviews, suggesting that Google may be aiming to increase the use of AI in search.
AI Mode will only return results when Google has high confidence in their quality and helpfulness. However, this raises concerns about traditional web results being overshadowed by AI-driven content. Google maintains that its core quality and ranking systems are still intact but acknowledges that early-stage AI products like AI Mode may not always get it right.
As an opt-in experiment, AI Mode is currently available to test users’ experiences with the new feature. Expect this mode to become more prominent once bugs are ironed out, according to Google’s statement.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/06/google_launches_ai_mode_for