At Google’s I/O 2025 in California, the tech giant revealed AI Mode, its boldest search engine makeover in over ten years. Imagine chatting with search results like a personal assistant that understands nuance, context and follow-up questions. AI Mode, now rolling out to U.S. users, promises just that.
Behind the scenes is Gemini 2.5, Google’s latest AI model. It can process live video queries, compare prices in real time and even make purchases online. For deep dives into research topics, Google teased Deep Search, a tool that pulls insights from multiple sources. And Project Mariner, an autonomous agent, can book reservations or navigate websites on your behalf.
Google also launched the AI Ultra Plan at $250 per month. Subscribers get early access to new features, 30 terabytes of cloud storage and ad-free YouTube. It’s a steep price, but Alphabet’s spending on AI infrastructure is set to hit $75 billion in 2025.
These changes aren’t just technical – they reshape the online ecosystem. AI summaries now top results for 1.5 billion users, and publishers are feeling the impact. A recent study found clickthrough rates dropped by nearly 30 percent as users get answers directly instead of clicking through.
For young global citizens and digital nomads, AI Mode could streamline travel planning and on-the-go research. Entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts may leverage AI tools to test ideas faster. But alongside excitement, questions remain about the future of online content and business models in an AI-driven world.
As Google pushes the boundaries of search, the rest of the tech world is watching. Whether AI Mode becomes the new standard or sparks new competitors, one thing is clear: the way we find information is entering a new era.
Reference(s):
AI takes center stage: Google unveils its future at I/O 2025
cgtn.com
