The goal of Search has long been centred on helping people explore anything on their minds — from simple factual queries to deeply complex or highly specific questions that are often difficult to express.
To support this evolving behaviour, Google has continued to rethink the role of Search through AI. The adoption of AI Mode has accelerated rapidly, with over 1 billion monthly users within a year of launch. Queries are doubling each quarter, searches are now thrice as long as traditional ones, and follow-up queries increase 40% monthly in the U.S. Over 16% of searches are multimodal, using voice, images, or video. Planning queries grow at 80% the rate of overall usage. According to Google, overall Search activity also reached a record high last quarter, though trend data isn’t publicly available (Source: Search Engine Journal).
At Google I/O 2026, held on May 19–20, the company introduced the next phase of its AI-powered Search experience, combining traditional search engine capabilities with more advanced AI functionality. The announcement spans three major shifts: AI-powered Search as the default experience, the emergence o
AI-Powered Search Becomes the New Default
Google announced that AI Mode is now powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, its latest Flash model designed to deliver stronger performance across tasks such as reasoning, coding, and agentic workflows. The updated model is now the default experience globally within AI Mode.
The company also revealed what it described as the biggest transformation to the Search box in more than 25 years. Rebuilt around AI, the new Search interface is designed to make asking questions more natural and intuitive. Rather than relying primarily on keywords, users can describe their queries in greater detail through an expanded, dynamic input field.
The upgraded Search box also introduces AI-driven suggestions that go beyond standard autocomplete, helping users better articulate what they are trying to find. Search now supports multimodal inputs as well, allowing users to search using text, images, files, videos, or even Chrome tabs. Despite these additions, users will still receive the familiar mix of Search results currently available today. The rollout of the new AI-powered Search interface has already begun across all regions and languages where AI Mode is supported.
Google is also expanding conversational functionality within Search. Users can now ask follow-up questions directly from AI Overviews and continue interacting with AI Mode in a more fluid back-and-forth format. Context from previous searches is retained throughout the conversation, enabling Search to surface increasingly relevant links and supporting content. This conversational experience is now live across desktop and mobile globally (Source: Google).
Beyond the Search Box: The Rise of Search Agents
While the new Search interface improves how users ask questions, Google is also introducing AI agents that can handle ongoing tasks autonomously. The company calls this the “era of Search agents,” allowing users to create and manage multiple AI agents for ongoing tasks directly within Search. The first rollout will focus on information agents.
These agents are designed to operate continuously in the background, monitoring information across the web and other live data sources. They can track blogs, news platforms, social media posts, and real-time updates related to areas such as finance, shopping, and sports in order to provide users with timely, synthesised updates.
Google highlighted several use cases for these agents. For example, users searching for apartments can input detailed preferences, while the agent continuously scans listings and notifies them when suitable matches appear. Similarly, sports fans could track announcements such as athlete sneaker collaborations and receive alerts when new releases become available. Information agents are expected to launch this summer for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers ($19.99/month and $249.99/month, respectively) (Source: Google Gemini).
The company is also expanding agentic booking features in Search. Users will be able to request highly specific experiences or services — such as finding a private karaoke room for six people on a Friday night with late-night food options — and Search will compile live pricing, availability, and booking links from providers.
For selected categories, including home repair, beauty, and pet care, Google is additionally introducing the ability for Search to contact businesses on behalf of users. These features are scheduled to launch across the United States this summer. Google also confirmed that additional shopping-related AI agent capabilities are on the way.
From Static Results to Interactive Experiences
Search agents don’t just track information — they can also build custom tools in real time. Google is integrating the capabilities of Gemini 3.5 Flash and its Antigravity technology directly into Search to generate highly customised responses.
Instead of delivering static results alone, Search will be capable of dynamically assembling interactive experiences tailored to individual queries. This includes generating visual tools, simulations, graphs, tables, and other forms of custom UI on demand.
According to Google, these capabilities could help users better understand complex topics such as astrophysics or mechanical systems through interactive visualisations. Generative UI features are expected to become available to all Search users this summer at no cost.
Google also demonstrated how Search could generate practical tools, such as custom fitness trackers, by combining live information sources, including reviews, maps, and weather data. Over the coming months, users in the U.S. who subscribed to Google AI Pro and Ultra will also gain access to the ability to create mini apps and personalised experiences directly within Search.
The company further explained that Search is increasingly being designed for ongoing tasks rather than isolated questions. For recurring activities such as wedding planning or organising a home move, Search will be able to generate persistent dashboards, trackers, and mini applications that users can revisit and update over time.
Understanding Your Personal Context
While agents handle external tasks and generate custom tools, Personal Intelligence focuses on understanding your personal context to make Search more relevant. Google announced a wider rollout of Personal Intelligence in AI Mode, expanding access to users in nearly 200 countries and territories across 98 languages without requiring a subscription.
This feature allows users to securely connect apps such as Gmail and Google Photos to improve contextual understanding within Search. Integration with Google Calendar is expected soon. Google stated that Personal Intelligence has been developed with user transparency and control in mind, allowing individuals to decide if and when they want to connect their personal applications.
The Future of Search
With these updates, Google is positioning Search as a more intelligent and personalised AI system capable of not only retrieving information, but also understanding user context, assisting with ongoing tasks, and generating customised digital experiences directly within Search itself.
This marks a fundamental shift from Search as a passive tool for finding links to Search as an active assistant that handles complex workflows. The three major announcements — AI-powered Search as the default, Search agents for ongoing
