At Google I/O in Mountain View, Calif., the company unveiled major updates to its search experience, highlighting AI tools that build on last year’s AI Overview. CEO Sundar Pichai called the AI features “one of the most successful launches in search in the past decade.”
The AI Mode, Google’s conversational chatbot interface launched for testing in March, is now rolling out to all U.S. users. It uses a custom version of Gemini 2.5 and handles complex queries by running multiple searches in parallel. “People are asking longer, harder questions,” said Liz Reid, VP of Search.
More than 1.5 billion users have tried AI Overview, which Google says has increased search usage by 10% in the U.S. and India. While some publishers report lower clickthroughs from AI Overview, Reid said the clicks are higher quality, with users spending more time on linked sites.
Additional features arriving through Google’s Labs opt-in include Search Live, which uses your phone’s camera to begin a search—like helping a bike mechanic find the right screw—and a virtual try-on tool that models clothes on your uploaded photo. Google’s agent AI can even find deals and complete purchases using Google Pay.
