Google AI Search Goes Global With New Features

Google has significantly expanded its artificial intelligence capabilities, rolling out its new AI search feature to nearly 50 additional countries and regions, including the Netherlands. This major update brings the total reach of the advanced search mode to over 200 locations worldwide.

What Can the New AI Mode Do

Dubbed "AI mode," this new feature is designed to transform the standard search experience. According to Google, it provides more advanced reasoning and allows users to explore topics in much greater depth. It appears as a distinct tab on the search results page and is also integrated into the Google app for both iOS and Android devices.

The system is built to handle complex, multi-part questions and can even be assigned tasks. For example, a user could ask it to generate a detailed comparison table of different coffee brewing methods. The AI's conversational ability also allows for natural follow-up questions, such as inquiring about the optimal coffee grind size for each method mentioned in the table.

Introducing Search Live A Visual and Vocal Guide

One of the most innovative additions is "Search Live," a feature that provides instant information using voice commands or your device's camera. This multimodal approach allows for new ways to interact with the world around you. For instance, you can simply take a photo of an object, and the AI mode can provide comprehensive details about it, suggest potential recipes if it's an ingredient, or list its practical uses.

How Information and Sources Are Presented

While Google has previously offered AI-generated summaries for certain topics, this new AI tab handles information differently to enhance transparency. Instead of a simple list, some links to sources will now appear as footnotes directly within the text. Furthermore, the three primary sources for the information are prominently highlighted in a dedicated side column, making it easier for users to verify the data and explore the original content.