Google's Future Plan for Search

The way we “Google” is about to change dramatically. This week, the tech giant unveiled a major transformation of its search engine during its annual developer conference, marking a bold shift from keyword-based searches to a more intelligent, personalized, and real-time experience powered by AI.

At the heart of this shift is AI Mode, now widely available to US users via the Google app. Unlike traditional search, AI Mode breaks questions into subtopics, analyzes user history, and connects with other apps like Gmail to deliver tailored responses. It’s more than just answering queries — it’s becoming a digital assistant that understands your needs and context.

Two standout features will soon expand AI Mode’s capabilities: a task-handling function that can autonomously buy tickets or book reservations, and visual search, where users can point their phone camera at an object and ask questions about it in real-time — like checking if a bolt fits a bike.

Google is also investing in Project Mariner, an AI agent designed to complete multi-step tasks such as purchasing event tickets or finding restaurant bookings. These AI-powered experiences will initially be accessible through Labs, with integration into popular services like Ticketmaster, Resy, and StubHub.

This evolution is a direct response to rising competition from AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and enhanced virtual assistants from Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft. With AI rapidly changing how users search and interact with information, Google aims to prove it’s still at the forefront — even as traditional search faces declining usage.

CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized the company’s vision of a more proactive, agent-driven digital world: “All of this will keep getting better.” And if Google’s ambitious updates take hold, “Googling” could soon mean much more than typing in a few words — it may become your AI-powered gateway to the world.