Google Search Gets Its Biggest AI Upgrade in Years

Google is expanding Search with a new generation of AI-powered features centered around agentic capabilities, conversational interactions, and custom-generated interfaces, as the company pushes Gemini deeper into its core search experience.

At I/O 2026, Google said AI Mode has now surpassed one billion monthly users, with usage continuing to grow rapidly since launch. The company is now making Gemini 3.5 Flash the default model powering AI Mode globally, bringing what it described as stronger performance for coding and AI agents directly into Search.

One of the largest changes is a redesigned AI-powered Search box that supports multimodal inputs including text, images, videos, files, and Chrome tabs. Google said the updated interface dynamically expands to accommodate more detailed prompts while offering AI-generated suggestions that go beyond traditional autocomplete. The new Search box is beginning to roll out in every country and language where AI Mode is currently available.

Google is also deepening conversational interactions inside Search. Users can now continue asking follow-up questions directly from AI Overviews and move into ongoing back-and-forth exchanges through AI Mode across desktop and mobile.

A major focus of the announcement was the introduction of “Search agents,” which Google described as background AI systems that continuously monitor information and perform ongoing tasks for users. The first category, information agents, can track updates across websites, blogs, social platforms, finance data, shopping listings, and sports information based on highly specific user requests.

Google said the feature could be used for tasks like apartment hunting or monitoring product launches tied to athletes or brands. Information agents are scheduled to launch this summer for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.

The company is also expanding Search’s booking capabilities into what it calls more agentic workflows. Users will be able to ask Search to find and organize local services or experiences based on detailed criteria, including pricing and availability. In select categories such as home repair, beauty services, and pet care, Google said Search will also be able to place calls to businesses on a user’s behalf. Those capabilities are expected to roll out in the U.S. this summer.

Google additionally announced that Search will begin incorporating technology from Antigravity and Gemini 3.5 Flash to generate interactive user interfaces in real time as part of responses. Instead of returning only links or summaries, Search will be able to build custom visuals, simulations, tables, graphs, and mini applications tailored to a query.

The company said users could create personalized dashboards and trackers for recurring tasks like wedding planning, moving, or fitness routines. Search can generate those experiences dynamically while connecting to live sources such as maps, weather, reviews, and other real-time data. These custom app-building capabilities are expected to launch first for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S. in the coming months.

Google is also expanding “Personal Intelligence” inside AI Mode to users in nearly 200 countries and territories across 98 languages without requiring a subscription. The feature allows users to connect apps including Gmail and Google Photos, with Google Calendar integration planned next, enabling Search to incorporate personal context into responses.

The announcements highlight Google’s broader effort to evolve Search from a traditional search engine into a more autonomous AI system capable of handling ongoing tasks, generating interactive tools, and maintaining persistent context across user activity.

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This analysis is based on reporting from Google.

Image courtesy of Google.

This article was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy and quality.