If you’ve recently spotted a new “AI Mode” tab at the top of your Google Search page, you’re not imagining things. This fresh feature rolled out last month and marks a major shift in how we use the internet. Google is officially going all-in on AI-assisted search.
What Is Google’s AI Mode?
AI Mode is more than just a fancy upgrade — it’s a complete rethinking of what search can be. With AI Mode, your phone camera becomes part of the search process, letting you ask questions about real-world objects and surroundings. It also delivers deep AI-generated summaries that go far beyond the brief overviews we’ve been seeing at the top of results.
Introducing Live: Talk to Google AI Like Never Before
Google has now taken things a step further with a new feature called Live, available in the Google app for both iOS and Android. Once you opt into the AI Mode experiment, Live lets you have real-time, spoken conversations with Google AI.
Just open the Google app, tap “Live,” and start talking. Google’s AI will respond with a verbal answer — fast. Think of it like chatting with ChatGPT, but hands-free and built right into your search experience. This is perfect when you’re on the go or just don’t feel like typing.
A Real-Life Example From Google
In a demo video, Google shows off Live Mode by asking: “What are some tips for preventing a linen dress from wrinkling in a suitcase?” The AI responds instantly in a natural, conversational tone — in under two seconds. That kind of speed and clarity is a game changer.
You can follow up with more questions, keep the convo going, and even let it run in the background while switching to other apps. If you want to bring in visual help, like snapping a pic with your camera, AI Mode can handle that too. It even gives you a full transcript of the conversation to look back on later.
Why AI Mode Is a Big Deal
Google’s AI Mode isn’t just a cool feature — it’s a major leap in how we interact with the web. Search is no longer just about keywords and links. With conversational AI baked right into the experience, we’re stepping into the future of truly interactive, intelligent search.
