Google AI Mode Search: What are New Ways to Learn and Explore?

The innovative approach of Google AI Mode Search is rapidly shaping how users in the United States, especially students and teachers, learn and explore complex themes. Moving beyond the traditional ten links, the AI mode increases state-of-the-art artificial intelligence to provide more direct, detailed, and interactive answers.

New ways to learn and explore with AI Mode in Search 🧠

- Upload photos and soon, PDFs, to ask questions that deepen your understanding
- Create plans and stay organized on projects with Canvas in AI Mode, which will soon be available for U.S. users enrolled in the AI Mode Labs… pic.twitter.com/znt0aQwQgz

— Google (@Google) July 29, 2025

AI Mode aims to deliver AI-generated snapshots of information directly within search results, unlike traditional search methods. It's designed to understand more complex, and provide structured answers by pulling information from a wide range of web sources. This allows users to explore topics in greater depth without needing to click through multiple websites.

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What is AI Mode in Search?

AI Mode is Google's advanced search experience, which is powered by its sophisticated Gemini AI models.  AI Mode aims to deliver AI-generated snapshots of information directly within search results, unlike traditional search methods. It's designed to understand more complex, multi-part questions and provide structured answers by pulling information from a wide range of web sources. This allows users to explore topics in greater depth, often without needing to click through multiple websites.

How Does AI Mode Enhance Learning and Exploration?

Google's AI Mode in Search introduces several key features that significantly enhance the learning and exploration process, making it more intuitive and efficient for users in the U.S. These innovations move beyond simple web links to offer more comprehensive and interactive ways to engage with information:

1. Generative AI Summaries (AI Overviews)

For complex queries, AI Mode can provide a comprehensive, AI-generated overview of a topic directly at the top of the search results. This "AI Overview" distills information from multiple sources into an easy-to-understand summary, complete with citations to the original web pages. This saves users time and helps them quickly grasp core concepts. AI Overviews are now used by over a billion people monthly across more than 40 languages.

2. Conversational Search

Users can engage in a back-and-forth dialogue with AI Mode, asking follow-up questions to delve deeper into a subject. The AI remembers the context of the conversation, allowing for more nuanced exploration and clarification of complex ideas. This mimics a tutoring experience, adapting to the user's learning path. You can ask complex, multi-part questions that previously would have required several separate searches.

3. Multi-modal Input (Images and PDFs)

AI Mode allows users to ask questions using text, voice, or even images and PDFs. For instance, you can upload a PDF of lecture slides or a research report and ask specific questions about its content. Further, AI will pull the relevant insights and link back to specific sections within the document. This capability is launching on desktop browsers soon.

You can also point your camera at a diagram or a historical artifact and ask a question through Search Live with Video Input, getting real-time, visual answers and relevant web links. This feature is rolling out on mobile devices in the U.S. for users in the AI Mode Labs experiment.

4. Deep Search

For highly complex or unique research questions, AI Mode's "Deep Search" functionality can perform hundreds of simultaneous searches across disparate pieces of information. It then synthesises these findings into a comprehensive, fully-cited report, saving researchers and students hours of manual work. This is powered by advanced Gemini models like Gemini 2.5 Pro.

5. Integration with Planning Tools (Canvas)

A new "Canvas" feature within AI Mode allows users to organise projects and study plans directly within Google Search. Users can initiate a project, ask AI Mode for assistance, and refine their plans through conversational prompts. This tool is designed to help manage multiple pieces of information across different sessions.

6. "Ask Google about this page" in Chrome

This is a new Lens integration within the Chrome browser that allows users to highlight any element on a webpage. This can be done through text, image, diagram, and ask Google questions about it. The AI provides an overview in a side panel, enabling contextual learning directly from the browser content. This feature will soon allow follow-up questions through AI Mode.

Traditional Search Vs Google’s AI Mode 

AI Mode in Search fundamentally changes how students, educators, and lifelong learners in the U.S. access and process information. For instance, students can perform PDF analysis,  organise projects, and manage learning schedules. Similarly, for educators, they can streamline lesson preparation by extracting key information, answer student questions more effectively using AI-powered insights, and understand research papers more effectively. The table below shows how efficient Google’s AI mode is from traditional searches, which often provide a list of links: 

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How Does Google Ensure Accuracy and Responsible Use in AI Mode?

Google emphasises that AI Mode, while powerful, is still experimental and may occasionally produce inaccuracies. To ensure reliability, Google ensures the following:

• AI Overviews are designed to be "grounded" in high-quality web results, with citations provided for verification.

• Users are encouraged to provide feedback on responses, which helps Google improve the AI models.

• Google states that data used to train and improve generative AI experiences in Search is disconnected from user accounts, with automated tools removing identifying or sensitive personal information.

This ongoing innovation in the world of artificial intelligence promises to reshape educational practices and foster a more informed society.