Google is once again venturing into the realm of artificial intelligence, announcing major enhancements to its iconic search bar during its annual Google I/O conference. The tech giant revealed that its search engine will now better accommodate complex and conversational queries, steering users towards interaction with its AI-powered chatbot, Gemini 3.5. This change is set to transform the way users engage with Google Search by integrating more visual elements and enhancing AI-assisted actions within Google’s suite of products, such as creating calendar invites or organizing spreadsheets.
Elizabeth Reid, the head of Google Search, described these updates as the most significant in the nearly three decades of the search engine’s existence. The changes, which rolled out globally on both desktop and mobile platforms, aim to make Search more intuitive and visually dynamic. Users will still have the option to switch back to the traditional list of links by selecting a “Web” tab, while the new AI-powered interface promises a more interactive experience. The introduction of “AI Mode” last year has already doubled user engagement with the Gemini-powered bot interface every quarter, highlighting a growing shift towards AI-driven search experiences.
Google is also making strides in the field of smart eyewear, more than a decade after its original Google Glass faced public ridicule. Teaming up with partners like Samsung, Warby Parker, and Gentle Monster, Google plans to launch a new line of “intelligent eyewear” this fall. These glasses, equipped with voice command features and cameras, will allow users to interact with the Gemini AI, capturing photos and videos on the go. This move mirrors the efforts of Meta, which has been collaborating with EssilorLuxottica to produce similar augmented-reality glasses since 2021.
In addition to these hardware ventures, Google is expanding the capabilities of its AI through the Gemini app, which already boasts 900 million monthly users. This stands in contrast to the more popular ChatGPT, which garners 900 million weekly users. Google’s AI Pro and Ultra subscribers will now have access to “information agents”—autonomous bots capable of conducting extensive research and providing detailed summaries or action plans. The introduction of the Gemini Spark feature will further personalize user experiences by tapping into data from Gmail, Google Calendar, and other Google services to facilitate tasks such as trip planning and appointment scheduling.