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If you thought Google's AI updates were done for the year, think again. Adding to a lineup of new artificial intelligence-related functionality, Google is set to integrate a new, AI-powered version of its most iconic product out there -- Google Search.

Google Search Will Soon Have an "AI Mode"

According to a report from The Information, Google is in the process of adding an "AI Mode" to its search engine, which will allow you to interact with a chatbot-like interface while you research. Apparently, you'll see the option to access the mode on the results page once you've entered your first search query.

An AI Mode was also recently detected by Android Authority in a beta version of the Google app.

The AI Mode will live as its own tab next to the existing Google Search tabs that we know and love, including All, Images, News, Shopping, and so on. In the AI tab, you'll reportedly see related web links as you would in All, but they will be accompanied by a conversational answer and a search bar for follow-up questions, similar to the Gemini app.

Gemini vs. Google Search AI Mode

Like me, you might be wondering: don't we already have this functionality with Gemini? Right now, you can open up the Gemini app on a desktop or a mobile device and ask questions. Gemini has access to the internet and can hence give you updated and relevant information in a conversational format, along with source links.

At the time of writing, Gemini 1.5 Flash -- the generally available Gemini model -- has a knowledge cutoff of August 2024, according to Google's AI Studio. However, I found that Gemini was able to answer questions about events from November and December 2024, citing reliable source links. Hence, the Gemini app seems like it provides the same service as this projected AI integration for Google Search.

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Perhaps the difference just comes down to access. Google might be banking on more people using its AI if it's smack-dab in the middle of its renowned search engine. I can see the appeal of being able to quickly switch from an AI chatbot to other tabs, like Shopping or Flights. Say you're chatting with the AI assistant about an upcoming trip; based on that conversation, you can seamlessly pivot to finding the best flights available -- and purchase the gear you need.

Whether this new mode is a reaction to OpenAI's recent release of a very Google-like ChatGPT Search, we can only assume. But one thing is for certain: Google will do whatever it takes to hang on to its search engine reign, with which it genericized its name. There's no question that Google will rue the day that someone says "ChatGPT it" instead of "Google it."