Google Introduces 'AI Mode' For Search Engine To Offer Deeper Analysis, Reasoning On Queries

Google unveiled a new addition to its search engine, known as 'AI Mode', powered by its proprietary Gemini AI which enables users to gain access to in-depth information, along with an elevated ability for it to engage in advanced reasoning, thinking and multimodal functions to answer questions and queries, according to a blog post from the company on Wednesday.

Introduced as an early experiment in its 'Search Labs', this feature is currently available only to a select number of users and is still in the early stages of its rollout.

"Starting today, we’ll begin inviting Google One AI Premium subscribers to be the first to try out this experience in Labs," the blog post, written by Google's Vice President of Product Robby Stein, read.

The feature primarily enables users to ask follow-up questions to their initial queries and have Google list multiple web links related to the question. It aims to answer questions that need it to engage in deeper reasoning, comparisons and exploration, satisfying users' queries about subjects that may have initially taken multiple searches.

It achieves this by utilising a “query fan-out” technique, where it undertakes multiple related searches at the same time across subtopics and multiple data sources and then collates the results together to give a comprehensive response. "This approach helps you access more breadth and depth of information than a traditional search on Google," the blog post said.

The software company is still ironing out some kinks with its AI mode, reporting that in cases where the search engine may not have confidence in quality, it may instead display search results and the possibility that some responses may "unintentionally appear to take on a persona or reflect a particular opinion".

Google still maintains that the information presented is "objectively" based on what's available on the internet.

The tech company also reported that it would be expanding its AI overview feature to encompass more complicated questions related to advanced mathematics, coding and multimodal queries in the US. Users also no longer need to sign in to gain access.