Google is making significant strides in integrating artificial intelligence into its services, as announced during its annual Google I/O conference. The tech giant revealed plans to enhance its search bar, a staple of its widely-used website, by incorporating AI capabilities through its new model, Gemini 3.5. This update allows for longer, more conversational queries, aligning the search experience with how people naturally speak rather than relying on traditional search syntax. The AI-driven changes will encourage users to interact with Google’s chatbot, offering more visual elements and actionable suggestions across Google’s suite of products.
Elizabeth Reid, who leads Google Search, described the transformation as the most substantial since the service’s inception nearly thirty years ago. The global rollout includes both desktop and mobile versions, allowing users to experience a visually enriched search interface akin to AI Overviews, which replace the conventional list of links. However, a “Web” tab will still provide access to the traditional search results. Reid noted that Google Search queries reached unprecedented levels last month, and interactions with the Gemini-powered chatbot have doubled each quarter since the introduction of “AI Mode” a year ago. Moreover, when users add multimedia to the Chrome search bar, the search will automatically transition to AI mode.
Google’s Gemini aims to function as a “universal assistant,” as stated by Josh Woodward, who oversees its development. The app currently boasts 900 million monthly users, a figure still trailing behind ChatGPT’s 900 million weekly users. The integration of AI agents into Google Search represents a broadening of their appeal beyond tech-savvy individuals to a general consumer audience. With AI Pro and Ultra plan subscriptions, users can create “information agents,” autonomous bots capable of conducting thorough research and delivering summaries or actionable plans. The Gemini Spark feature will enhance this capability by utilizing user data from Gmail, Google Calendar, and other Google services to assist with research, shopping, and planning tasks.
In addition to AI advancements, Google is revisiting the realm of smart eyewear. Partnering with companies like Samsung, Warby Parker, and Gentle Monster, Google plans to launch “intelligent eyewear” this fall, which includes sunglasses and eyeglasses with voice-command responsiveness and built-in cameras. This marks a return to the tech, following the earlier Google Glass, which faced widespread ridicule and was discontinued shortly after its 2014 release. In contrast, current market trends show growing interest, with Meta already collaborating with EssilorLuxottica on similar smart glasses. Google is also developing a second model with an in-lens display, known as Project Aura, signaling evolving consumer attitudes towards augmented-reality eyewear.