## Google Unveils Revolutionary AI Mode for Search in the UK
Google has revealed the national launch of a pioneering artificial intelligence-powered tool within the UK, a move that the tech giant says marks a significant transformation in the landscape of online searching. Dubbed ‘AI Mode’, this feature is described by Google as the most advanced AI search capability they have introduced to date. Having been tested in other major markets, including the United States and India, it is now making its way to UK users, with availability scheduled to roll out across the country this week.
AI Mode is designed to enhance how individuals engage with the world’s most popular search engine, allowing them to ask more comprehensive and layered questions. Users will notice a new tab marked ‘AI Mode’ on the Google Search results page, as well as within the mobile Google app on both Android and Apple devices from Tuesday. Within days, the feature is expected to become broadly accessible for all UK-based Google users.
This breakthrough arrives amidst growing competition within the search engine sector, where advances in artificial intelligence are rapidly reshaping user expectations and behaviour. Google, as the dominant force in online search, is eager to maintain its lead as people’s search habits become increasingly complex and nuanced. Notably, AI Mode runs alongside Google’s existing AI Overview, a tool that already integrates artificial intelligence into conventional search results.
According to Hema Budaraju, Google’s vice president of product management for search, the launch represents a “major shift” in how the public uses online searches. Ms Budaraju highlighted in a recent blog post that the new function is particularly effective for more exploratory and involved queries — such as comparing electronic gadgets, planning holidays, or seeking guidance on complex processes. “AI Mode is a new, intuitive way to address your most complex, multi-part questions and follow-ups, and satisfy your curiosity in a richer way,” she wrote.
Early data from initial launches indicate that users are submitting questions two to three times longer than standard search queries. This underscores a trend in users moving away from short, simple searches, towards more in-depth information gathering using natural language. The backbone of this technological breakthrough is Google’s latest AI model, Gemini 2.5, which enables users to pose intricate questions that would previously have necessitated multiple, separate searches.
A key feature of AI Mode is its ability to break complex queries down into more manageable topics, conducting various sub-queries automatically on behalf of the user. Moreover, the technology supports ‘multimodal’ searches — meaning people can input their queries not only by typing, but also using voice commands or by uploading images. This versatility is expected to make searching more convenient and accessible to a wider audience.
Despite these advancements, Google acknowledges that the technology is still evolving. In situations where AI Mode is uncertain about its response or lacks enough data to provide a confident answer, users will be offered a range of traditional web search results as an alternative. “And as with any early-stage AI product, we won’t always get it right, but we are committed to continuous improvement,” Ms Budaraju explained.
Industry observers note that while excitement about generative AI continues to build, concerns about accuracy, privacy, and the possibility of misinformation have put pressure on major tech companies. Google claims its new AI search methods include enhanced safeguards, but many in the sector are keenly watching to see how the public responds as the deployment becomes more widespread.
Meanwhile, Google remains focused on refining the AI Mode feature, promising ongoing improvements and updates based on real-world user feedback. As the technology matures, it could signal a turning point in how people access and interact with information online — potentially ushering in a new era of personalised, intuitive search experiences for millions in the UK and beyond.