What to know

  • Google is rolling out its AI-powered search experience to millions of users in the US starting today.
  • The new AI Mode provides conversational answers alongside traditional search results.
  • Users can toggle between standard search and AI Mode with a simple switch at the top of the search page.

Google announced today that its new AI-powered search experience is rolling out to millions of users across the United States. The feature, simply called "AI Mode," represents one of the most significant changes to Google Search in years.

When you activate AI Mode, you'll notice a dramatic difference in how search results appear. Instead of just showing a list of links, Google will provide conversational answers to your questions at the top of the page, followed by traditional search results below.

"We're fundamentally transforming how people interact with information online," said Liz Reid, Google's VP of Search. "AI Mode understands the context of your questions and can provide more helpful, comprehensive answers."

The new feature appears as a simple toggle switch at the top of your search page. You can easily switch between the standard Google Search experience and the new AI-powered version with a single tap.

AI Mode excels at handling complex queries that traditional search might struggle with. For example, if you ask "What are good day trips from San Francisco for someone who loves hiking and photography?" the AI will provide tailored recommendations rather than just links to travel websites.

The system also remembers context from previous searches, allowing for more natural follow-up questions. If you ask about hiking trails and then follow with "Which ones are best for beginners?" the AI understands you're still talking about hiking trails.

Google has built several safeguards into the system to address potential concerns about AI-generated content. Each AI response includes citations to source material, and the company says it has implemented extensive measures to reduce misinformation and bias.

The rollout begins today for English-language searches in the US, with plans to expand globally in the coming months. Google says it will add support for additional languages throughout the year.

Some users have expressed privacy concerns about the new feature. Google clarifies that while AI Mode requires more data processing than traditional search, the company follows the same privacy policies that apply to its other services.

Industry analysts see this move as Google's response to increasing competition from AI-powered alternatives like ChatGPT and Microsoft's Bing Chat. The search giant maintains that AI Mode represents an evolution rather than a replacement of traditional search.

"We're not abandoning what makes Google Search great," Reid emphasized. "We're enhancing it with AI capabilities while maintaining the reliability and trustworthiness users expect."