Google Search 'AI Mode' has started internal testing, report says
Google is reportedly testing its "AI Mode" for Search internally, which means it might be released soon.
According to 9to5Google, which saw an internal company email, Google employees have been invited to test out AI Mode for Search. A screenshot published by the outlet shows the tool appearing like a supercharged version of AI Overviews combined with the Gemini chatbot interface, all geared toward asking more open-ended questions.
It seems Google is continuing its effort to put Gemini and AI-powered features absolutely everywhere. Gemini is now embedded in TVs, Androids, Search, Google Workspace apps, as a standalone app, and more. Just this week, Google announced expanded access to its reasoning model Gemini 2.0 Thinking, and a new Gemini 2.0 Pro model for advanced coding.
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Based on 9to5Google's screenshot, AI Mode would be a tab that sits next to the News, Images, Shopping, etc. filters. The early look shows a long answer to the question "How many boxes of spaghetti should I buy to feed 6 adults and 10 children, and have enough for seconds?" that showcases its reasoning capabilities, like calculating amount of spaghetti needed based on portion size for kids and adults, etc.
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Notably, AI Mode takes up the entire page on Google Search. Since it's a screenshot, we don't know if links appear below it, but either way it covers a lot of real estate that sites normally fight tooth and nail to stake their claim on. Instead, in a module on the right, there are links to three sites, presumably where AI Mode sourced its information.
The advent of AI Overviews similarly irked publishers who feared the aggregated AI-generated summaries would whittle down traffic to their own sites. Even more space taken up by AI Mode might ramp up concerns.
That said, AI Mode is reportedly designed with more exploratory questions in mind that can't be easily answered by a quick Google Search. Examples given to employees invited to test AI Mode include, "Compare wool, down, and synthetic jackets in terms of insulation, water resistance, and durability" and "What do I need to get started with aquascaping?"
Cecily is a tech reporter at Mashable who covers AI, Apple, and emerging tech trends. Before getting her master's degree at Columbia Journalism School, she spent several years working with startups and social impact businesses for Unreasonable Group and B Lab. Before that, she co-founded a startup consulting business for emerging entrepreneurial hubs in South America, Europe, and Asia. You can find her on X at @cecily_mauran.
