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Google Tests AI-Only Version of Search Engine with New “AI Mode”

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Google has launched an experimental version of its search engine that removes the traditional 10 blue links in favor of AI-generated summaries. This new feature, available to subscribers of Google One AI Premium, can be accessed by clicking on a tab labeled “AI Mode” alongside options like Images and Maps.

Robby Stein, Vice President of Product at Google, explained that the company had received feedback from power users who wanted AI responses for a broader range of searches. Google One AI Premium is a $19.99 per month subscription that offers additional cloud storage and access to exclusive AI features.

In its ongoing push to integrate AI into search, Google has introduced AI Overviews, which provide summaries of search results above the usual links to webpages. These Overviews are already available in over 100 countries, and last year, Google began incorporating ads into these AI summaries.

With AI Mode, the company takes this a step further by offering more detailed AI summaries with links to the sources. The traditional blue links are replaced by a search bar, allowing users to ask follow-up questions. Powered by Google’s custom Gemini 2.0 model, AI Mode is designed with advanced reasoning capabilities, making it more adept at handling complex queries.

This new development represents a significant move for Google, as it faces increased competition from Microsoft-backed OpenAI, which introduced search functions in ChatGPT last October. AI-driven search is now a major area of focus for Google, with Alphabet’s 2024 revenue—mostly driven by search-related advertising—under threat from emerging AI competitors.

However, the shift to AI-powered search has raised concerns. In February, educational technology company Chegg filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing the AI previews of diminishing the demand for original content and harming publishers’ ability to compete.

Google Pushes Back Against U.S. Government’s Antitrust Efforts

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Alphabet’s Google has urged the U.S. government to reconsider efforts to break up the tech giant, meeting with officials from President Donald Trump’s administration last week, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently pursuing two antitrust lawsuits against Google, focusing on its dominance in online search and advertising technology. The agency has outlined potential remedies, including forcing Google to divest key assets such as the Chrome web browser and ending agreements that make it the default search engine on devices like Apple’s iPhone.

A Google spokesperson confirmed that the company regularly engages with regulators, including the DOJ, to discuss ongoing legal matters. “As we’ve publicly stated, we are concerned that the current proposals would harm the American economy and national security,” the spokesperson said.

The DOJ has not yet commented on the recent meeting. The trial to determine potential remedies in the search case is scheduled for April, with a final ruling expected by August.

President Trump’s administration is expected to take a less aggressive stance on antitrust enforcement compared to former President Joe Biden’s policies. Industry experts suggest that this could include a softened approach toward breaking up Google, a move that has been a key concern for the tech giant.

Google Chrome for iOS to Introduce New ‘Search Screen with Google Lens’ Feature

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Google has announced an exciting update for Chrome and the Google app on iOS, introducing a new visual lookup feature that integrates Google Lens. This enhancement, unveiled on Wednesday, allows users to perform visual searches directly from their devices, without needing to leave the browser or take screenshots. The feature uses artificial intelligence to identify objects on the screen, translate text, or even recognize music playing in the background. Google emphasized that this new tool will also offer AI-generated overviews, providing more in-depth results based on the visual search.

The new “Search Screen with Google Lens” feature will work seamlessly across all web pages in Google Chrome for iOS. By simply tapping, highlighting, or drawing around objects on a page, users can instantly activate the visual lookup. This eliminates the hassle of taking a screenshot and opening the Google Lens app separately. Instead, everything can now be done directly within the browser, making searches quicker and more efficient. Google believes that this integration will make browsing more interactive and intuitive, enhancing the user experience.

Google Lens has been a valuable tool for millions of users, with over 20 billion visual searches conducted each month. The company is expanding this functionality by integrating it into their iOS apps, starting with Chrome. With this update, users will have the ability to perform a wide range of tasks with just a tap. Whether identifying a landmark, translating foreign text, or recognizing an object, this feature aims to simplify and enhance how users interact with the web.

Additionally, Google promises that the visual search tool will not only help identify items but will also offer more detailed AI-driven overviews for a deeper understanding of the objects in question. As this feature rolls out, it represents a significant step forward in merging AI technology with everyday tasks, providing users with more efficient and powerful search capabilities.