Google has taken a bold step into the future of artificial intelligence (AI) with a major overhaul of its search engine unveiled at its annual I/O 2025 conference in California. The tech giant introduced “AI Mode,” a feature that turns its search platform into a conversational assistant capable of answering complex questions with unprecedented depth and nuance.
Currently available only to users in the United States, AI Mode represents Google’s most ambitious update in over a decade. The rollout has been swift—just two and a half months after limited testing began—signaling Google’s confidence in its AI capabilities even as competitors like ChatGPT and Perplexity gain traction.
At the heart of this transformation is Gemini 2.5, Google’s latest AI model. This powerful tool is being integrated into search algorithms to handle a wide array of tasks, from interpreting live video queries to automating ticket purchases. Google also teased upcoming features like “Deep Search” for tackling intricate research topics and “Project Mariner,” an AI agent designed to navigate websites and make reservations autonomously.
For users seeking even more advanced capabilities, Google launched the “AI Ultra Plan” at $250 per month, a significant jump from its $20 “Pro” tier. Subscribers gain early access to experimental features, a massive 30 terabytes of storage, and an ad-free YouTube experience. This move highlights the escalating costs of AI development, with Google’s parent company Alphabet projected to spend $75 billion in capital expenditures in 2025 alone.
But the advancements come with ripple effects that extend beyond technology. Google’s AI-generated overviews, now featured at the top of search results for 1.5 billion users, are reshaping the digital landscape. A study by BrightEdge revealed that clickthrough rates have dropped nearly 30 percent, as more people find answers directly within Google’s summaries instead of visiting external websites. This shift has raised concerns among publishers who rely on web traffic.
As Google continues to integrate AI into its core services, the way we interact with information online is rapidly evolving. The implications for users, businesses, and the internet as a whole are profound, ushering in a new era where AI takes center stage.
