Google launches experimental AI mode for users in India
NEW DELHI, India, June 24: Google has introduced its experimental AI mode — a Q&A-style search tool — to users in India, the company announced today. The feature, which allows users to interact with search results in a conversational format, is part of Google's Search Labs initiative and requires users to opt in.
Once enrolled, users can begin using the tool in English to ask complex, multi-part queries. For instance, a sample query could be: 'My kids are 4 and 7 and have lots of energy. Suggest creative ways to get them active and moving indoors, especially on hot days, without needing a lot of space or expensive toys.' Users can also ask follow-up questions to refine their results.
Google did not specify whether support for Indian languages is planned or when such an update might be introduced.
The AI mode was initially tested with premium subscribers in the U.S. earlier this year and later expanded to all users following Google's I/O event. Since then, the company has enhanced the tool with features such as shopping integrations, as well as voice and image search support. In India, where voice is a commonly used search method, both voice and image inputs are available for AI mode users.
The new feature is powered by a custom version of Google's Gemini 2.5 model. According to the company, early adopters are using it to make queries that are two to three times longer than traditional searches.
With over 870 million internet users, India represents one of Google's largest and most diverse markets, making it a key region for testing how multilingual users interact with emerging technologies.
Despite maintaining dominance in the search engine market, Google faces rising competition from chat-based AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity. With the launch of AI mode, the company aims to retain users who are increasingly drawn to conversational interfaces.
In addition to AI mode, Google is promoting features like AI overviews, which summarize results for search queries. In April, the company reported that over 1.5 billion users globally are engaging with these AI-generated overviews. However, a recent Wall Street Journal report noted that some publishers are experiencing declines in traffic due to these AI-driven features.
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