Google is launching a new experimental feature called "AI Mode" in Search. AI models from Google, OpenAI, and Perplexity will be able to process complex queries, collect, analyze, and summarize information from multiple sources. This is reported by TechCrunch.
AI mode will be available to Google One AI Premium subscribers and Search Labs participants. A special version of Gemini 2.0 has been developed for Google's search engine to work with these features in mind. This mode uses the principle of "query fan-out", which allows you to simultaneously receive multiple interrelated queries from different sources and then combine these results into one clear answer.
For example, you can ask, "What’s the difference in sleep tracking features between a smart ring, smartwatch, and tracking mat?" The AI mode will provide a detailed comparison of each device's capabilities, as well as provide links to the articles from which this data was obtained. You can then ask additional questions on the topic.
"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," said Robby Stein, vice president of product for Google Search.
Since this is still an early stage of the experiment, Google notes that there are still improvements to be made to the features. For example, the company plans to make the user experience more visual, as well as train the AI to work with a larger volume of sources. Google is training the model to determine when to add a hyperlink to the answer (for example, when booking tickets), or when to give preference to an image or video (for example, when asking for instructions).
If you're a Google One AI Premium subscriber, you can try the new mode here. On mobile devices, the Google app will have a separate "AI Mode" button below the search bar.