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Google Search has long been a primary gateway to information on the web, but it’s about to evolve into something even more powerful. With a new suite of features being integrated into AI Mode, search functionality will shift from simply providing links or facts to becoming an intelligent assistant that helps you organize, interpret, and act on information more effectively.
Rather than just answering questions, AI Mode is transforming into a versatile workspace. Soon, it will assist with analyzing complex documents, clarifying visuals, and guiding multi-step projects. These enhancements are gradually reshaping how we use search, making it a tool for more than just discovery—they’re supporting active productivity.
### What’s New in AI Mode?
A variety of fresh capabilities are being introduced, especially for desktop browsers where users commonly work across multiple tabs, files, and formats during demanding workflows.
#### Uploading PDFs and Images for Contextual Questions
Now, on desktop, AI Mode supports file uploads including PDFs and images. This feature allows you to pose questions about the content within these files and receive AI-generated, web-informed responses tailored to what you’ve uploaded.
Imagine having a research report or a technical manual open. Instead of manually searching for key terms, you can highlight a section or data point and ask, “Can you explain this further?” The AI will process the document and deliver relevant insights, along with links for further exploration.
Support for additional file types, including those stored on Google Drive, is expected in future updates, aimed at expanding the range of content you can work with.
#### Canvas for Planning and Organization
Another noteworthy addition is Canvas—a persistent, editable panel designed for creating and refining plans across multiple sessions. It caters to activities like project management, outlining research, planning trips, or any task requiring ongoing modification.
You can draft a plan, make adjustments through follow-up prompts, and view the results visually within the side panel. If you upload files such as meeting notes, the system can incorporate that context to personalize suggestions. This makes it easier to track progress and stay organized as you move through different tasks or devices.
#### Search Live with Visual Input
One of the most ambitious updates is Search Live, which combines Google Lens’s visual recognition with conversational AI. Now, you can point your phone’s camera at a diagram, a schematic, or even a physical object, and receive real-time, interactive assistance.
This functionality interprets what your camera frames, offers insights, and allows you to ask follow-up questions—making it feel like a live tutoring or troubleshooting session powered by AI. Currently being tested on mobile devices in the U.S., this feature leverages Google’s Project Astra, bringing web-based AI insights directly into your physical environment.
#### Smarter Browsing with AI in Chrome
For desktop browsing, AI Mode will soon be integrated into Chrome more deeply. You’ll be able to click “Ask Google about this page” from the address bar, which will activate Lens and the AI assistant to help interpret complex content on your screen—be it charts, technical details, or difficult diagrams.
You can continue to ask follow-up questions within the side panel, enabling a seamless exploration of content without switching tabs or starting new searches. This approach could redefine how users interact with web content and streamline information retrieval.
### An AI That Supports, Not Interrupts
Many AI tools promise productivity boosts but often disrupt your workflow. Google’s approach with AI Mode is different. The goal is to embed these intelligent capabilities smoothly into your existing activities—whether you’re searching, browsing, or analyzing files—without forcing a platform switch or distracting from your tasks.
Rather than positioning AI as a standalone assistant with a personality, Google aims to make it a contextual, helpful layer integrated into your daily digital habits. Upload files, ask questions, plan ahead, or check back later—all without leaving the browser or search bar.
The company is gradually rolling out these features, some already available in early access to users enrolled in the AI Mode Labs program, promising a smarter, more integrated search experience that works quietly in the background to boost your productivity.
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