Introduction to AI Mode

Google has introduced a new experimental feature called 'AI Mode' in its Search platform. This feature enables users to ask complex, multi-part questions and receive detailed comparisons and follow-up answers.

The AI Mode feature is designed to provide users with a more comprehensive and interactive search experience. It uses a custom version of Gemini 2.0, a advanced AI model that can understand and respond to complex queries.

How AI Mode Works

When a user asks a question in AI Mode, the feature uses a 'query fan-out' technique to issue multiple related searches concurrently across multiple data sources. The results are then brought together in an easy-to-understand response.

For example, a user can ask a question like 'What's the difference in sleep tracking features between a smart ring, smartwatch, and tracking mat?' AI Mode can then provide a detailed comparison of what each product offers, along with links to articles that it's pulling the information from.

Benefits of AI Mode

The AI Mode feature has several benefits, including the ability to ask follow-up questions and receive more detailed answers. It also allows users to access web content, as well as tap into real-time sources like the Knowledge Graph, info about the real world, and shopping data for billions of products.

According to Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google Search, '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.' This suggests that AI Mode is enabling users to ask more complex and nuanced questions, and receive more detailed and relevant answers.

Availability and Future Development

The AI Mode feature is currently available to Google One AI Premium subscribers, and can be accessed via Search Labs or by navigating directly to google.com/aimode. On mobile, users can open the Google app and tap the 'AI Mode' icon below the Search bar on the home screen.

Google plans to continue refining the user experience and expanding the functionality of AI Mode. This includes making the experience more visual, and surfacing information from a range of different sources, such as user-generated content.