Google is testing AI-driven search engine based on Gemini 2.0

Google is in the early stages of experimenting with AI Mode to generate more advanced search engine results, powered by artificial intelligence technology.

According to Google, the new AI Mode for Google Search allows “more advanced reasoning, thinking and multimodal capabilities” in order to get better answers to all your questions.

The Mountain View-based tech company states that AI Mode, which uses a custom version of Google’s Gemini 2.0 model, is particularly helpful for complex questions that need multiple search queries to answer.

“It [AI Mode] uses a ‘query fan-out’ technique, issuing multiple related searches concurrently across subtopics and multiple data sources and then brings those results together to provide an easy-to-understand response. This approach helps you access more breadth and depth of information than a traditional search on Google,” the company explains in a blog post.

For example, if you want to know the difference in sleep tracking features between a smart ring, smartwatch and tracking mat, AI Mode conducts multiple searches to find the information you’re looking for. The familiar ‘ten blue links’ that refer to search results won’t appear on screen. Instead, Google shows you summaries that have been generated with AI technology to answer your question.

If the first search query doesn’t provide the answer you’re looking for, you can ask follow-up questions to dig even deeper.

Google emphasizes this is a limited opt-in test that’s currently only available for Google One AI Premium members.

Robby Stein, Vice President of Product on the Google Search team, has told The Verge that AI Mode isn’t designed to replace Google Search with an AI chatbot. In addition, he says Google is already working on new capabilities and updates to AI Mode, like adding more visual responses with images and video, and richer formatting.

However, it does appear that Google is trying to compete with search-centric chatbots like ChatGPT Search or Perplexity.