Feb 07, 2025 13:00:00

Google starts testing new search 'AI mode', what kind of search function will it be?

OpenAI, a pioneer in the AI industry, has announced its AI search service '

ChatGPT search ', but it has also been reported that Google is working on developing a search function using AI. Google's new AI search function is called ' AI mode ' and is apparently in the early stages of internal testing.

Google starts testing Search 'AI Mode' internally
https://9to5google.com/2025/02/05/google-search-ai-mode-testing/

Google's upcoming AI Mode wants to be absolutely sure you never look at Page 2 of search results again
https://www.androidpolice.com/google-search-is-testing-a-new-mode-that-doubles-down-on-ai/

Google Search testing 'AI Mode'
https://searchengineland.com/google-search-testing-ai-mode-451672

Google has apparently started internally testing an 'AI Mode' for Search | Android Central
https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/google-ai-mode-gemini-backed-search-reported

ChatGPT Search Drops Account Requirement; Google Releases Gemini 2.0 & Microsoft Think Deeper in Copilot
https://www.seroundtable.com/chatgpt-search-open-38864.html

9to5Google, which reports on Google-related news, has obtained an email sent by Google to employees, reporting that the company has begun testing AI mode internally. Google describes AI mode as 'a search feature that intelligently researches information on your behalf, organizes information in a clear way, and provides links to explore content on the web,' the company said in the email to employees.

AI mode can also answer open-ended or exploratory questions that are not adequately addressed by existing Google search results. Specifically, it will enable 'queries that ask for search advice or comparisons' and 'interactions that allow follow-up questions.'

Google listed three examples of queries that employees can run in AI mode:

-How many boxes of spaghetti should I buy to feed 6 adults and 10 children, with the option for seconds?
- Comparing wool and synthetic down jackets in terms of insulation, water resistance, and durability
What do I need to start aquascaping ? (Follow-up question: Where can I buy these items near me?)

Google Search's AI mode uses a custom version of Gemini 2.0 that enables 'advanced reasoning and thinking capabilities,' and 9to5Google has obtained screenshots of the AI mode. However, the user interface (UI) of the AI mode is not the final product version, but rather an early release version available to employees. Google's AI mode is also available on mobile devices.

Google announces 'Gemini 2.0', a high-speed, lightweight model that overwhelmingly surpasses the previous generation of high-end models - GIGAZINE

In AI mode, just like a traditional Google search, you enter text in the text box and press the 'Search' button. When you search, a chatbot-like UI similar to Gemini is displayed, with the search word displayed at the top and an overview by AI displayed below. Below is a screenshot of the answer when asked in AI mode, 'How many boxes of spaghetti should I buy to feed six adults and 10 children and have them refillable?' In response to the user's question, the AI explains its thought process in multiple stages, and ultimately answers how much spaghetti to buy (assuming one box of spaghetti is 1 pound (about 450g)).

In addition, 'AI Mode' is placed to the left of 'All' in the Google Search menu, which gives the impression that they are trying to replace the base function of Google Search with AI Mode.

To the right of the AI's answers are links to reference materials, allowing users to freely research any questions they may have.

It has been pointed out that this is very similar to 'AI Summary,' a feature that Google released in 2024 that displays AI-generated summaries in search results.

Google's AI-driven summary feature that clearly outlines search results now supports Japanese - GIGAZINE

In addition, during the fourth quarter 2024 earnings announcement of Alphabet, Google's parent company, CEO Sundar Pichai said , '2025 will be the biggest year ever for search innovation,' and AI mode is expected to be one of these search innovations.