The Google Search we knew several years ago is barely recognizable today. This is thanks to the wave of updates brought to Search, supercharged last year with the introduction of AI Mode. Since then, we’ve seen the tool pick up some powerful upgrades, and at Google I/O this week, the search giant has announced a bevy of additional upgrades to AI Mode.
First things first, Google says AI Mode now runs on the freshly announced Gemini 3.5 Flash model by default across the globe. This upgraded model will significantly bolster AI Mode’s capabilities, while prepping for what Google calls “the era of Search agents,” but more on that later.
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Additionally, Google is rolling out “the biggest upgrade” to the iconic Search box globally. This updated Search box can expand as you type and help you phrase your questions better with the help of AI-powered suggestions “that go beyond autocomplete.”
It can handle multiple input sources, including files, text, images, videos, and Chrome tabs. Google says users will continue to see multiple types of results for their queries in Search, just as they do currently.
Furthermore, switching to AI Mode from an AI Overview is becoming more seamless, helping you instantly dive into an in-depth conversation while retaining the context from your original query. This enhanced AI Mode experience within AI Overviews is rolling out globally across the web and mobile versions.
The big shift to information agents
In addition to announcing Gemini Spark, Google is also bringing the agentic experience to Search this summer with what it calls information agents. Here’s how Google explains its functioning:
Your agent will intelligently look across everything on the web, like blogs, news sites and social posts, plus our freshest data, such as real-time info on finance, shopping and sports, to monitor for changes related to your specific question.
Think of information agents as an upgraded version of Google Alerts, with just a sentence or two required to set things in motion in the background. This can be used to track the price of electronics or other items you want to buy, or, as Google’s example shows, to keep an eye on the real estate market in a specific area. Information agents will be available this summer, but will be limited to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.
Google is also adding more capabilities to agentic booking in Search, which will now include “local experiences and services.” Meanwhile, for home repair, beauty, or pet care categories, Google will even place a call to the business to set up an appointment for you. These upgrades to agentic booking will be available to US users in the summer.
Agentic coding is coming to Search
Perhaps the most exciting addition to Search will be agentic coding, which will generate visuals such as graphs, charts, simulations, and tables, all based on your query.
This tool will offer visual explanations of complex concepts, such as how a diesel engine works, as well as other science and tech-related questions that are better answered visually. This particular capability will also roll out this summer, per Google, and will be available to everyone at no cost.
But that’s not all. Agentic coding will also unlock what Google calls mini apps tailored to specific purposes, such as tracking your daily calorie intake or other self-improvement goals. This will let you build a fully functional tracker or dashboard to monitor/adjust your progress and goals. This agentic coding experience will be available in the “coming months” for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.
Lastly, Google is expanding Personal Intelligence in AI Mode to additional regions and languages, though it’s currently limited to Gmail and Google Photos. However, support for Calendar is expected to arrive imminently.
