Google is preparing to integrate AI more deeply into its search platform, bringing its Gemini AI assistant to a wider audience, according to recent reports and app analyses. The new feature, referred to as “AI Mode,” will reportedly appear in the upper left corner of search results pages and within the Google app, offering an interface similar to a Gemini-powered chat experience, as detailed by The Information.
Earlier this month, Android Authority reported spotting an “AI mode” button in a beta version of the Google app, along with a shortcut on the Android search widget and a new conversation history option within the app. Digging further, 9to5Google uncovered code references to “aim” and “ai_mode,” hinting at a dedicated tab in the app that allows users to interact with AI through voice or by sharing images.
Google has already been prominently promoting Gemini across its ecosystem. For instance, its search homepage currently features links like “5 ways Gemini can help during the Holidays.” Meanwhile, its search results sometimes include an “AI Overview,” which gained attention for quirky suggestions like using glue as pizza sauce. Additionally, Gemini is being integrated into various Google products, such as Pixel devices, Gmail, and Drive/Workspace, with experimental features like file uploads for analysis during web searches.
The introduction of direct AI chat access from the search results page could significantly boost Gemini’s visibility, reaching Google’s vast user base. This move comes as competitors like OpenAI expand their AI-powered search capabilities, recently rolling out ChatGPT’s search features to all logged-in users. Similarly, Microsoft’s Bing integrates Copilot-powered search, while Perplexity and even privacy-focused DuckDuckGo now offer their own AI-based search functionalities.
As Google continues refining its AI integrations, this push to embed Gemini more prominently underscores the company’s intent to maintain its competitive edge in the evolving landscape of AI-driven search technologies.
