Google AI Mode Evolves: New Features Bring PDF Analysis, Canvas Planning, and Live Video Search to Users
Smarter PDF Analysis
One of the standout features is the ability to upload and analyze PDF files directly within AI Mode. Users on Android, iOS, and desktop browsers can now submit documents—such as lecture notes, presentations, or reports—and ask targeted questions about the content. The AI scans the material, summarizes key points, and even fetches supporting data from the web with clickable references for deeper learning.
This builds upon existing image analysis tools found in the Google app and marks a move toward supporting a broader range of document types in the future. Google confirms it is working on expanding this capability to include Google Drive files, making the feature even more accessible.
Currently, the PDF analysis function is being introduced for English-speaking users over 18 in the U.S. and India. However, given that AI Mode remains in its experimental phase, Google encourages users to double-check information for accuracy.
Organize with Canvas
Google is also introducing a new project management feature within AI Mode called Canvas. Previously available in Gemini, Canvas now offers users a powerful, evolving side panel in Search that helps organize and maintain ongoing plans. Whether it's structuring a study timetable, mapping out a travel itinerary, or managing a multi-phase project, Canvas is designed to streamline planning through interactive sessions with AI.
'Users can start by asking AI Mode for help with a task and select 'Create Canvas' to begin building their plan,' Google shared. The tool also offers the potential to import context from personal documents like syllabi or meeting notes once file upload integration is expanded.
Initially available in English for U.S. users enrolled in AI Mode Labs, Canvas is expected to broaden its reach over time.
Live Video Search with Search Live
Another groundbreaking addition is 'Search Live,' a feature that allows users to point their smartphone camera at a live scene and receive AI-generated insights on the spot. This feature uses the power of Project Astra and integrates with Google Lens to offer interactive, visual-based queries.
Users can engage in ongoing dialogue with AI Mode while exploring the world around them, making it a useful tool for learning, problem-solving, and even real-time translation or identification. This feature is being deployed first on mobile devices in the U.S.
Smarter Chrome Experience
Lastly, Google is rolling out a Chrome-based integration titled 'Ask Google about this page.' Available in the address bar, this function allows users to highlight any section of a webpage—or even a PDF—and query it through AI Mode. Responses appear in a side panel with options for follow-up questions and deeper exploration.
With these latest updates, Google continues its push to make AI tools more embedded in everyday digital experiences, ensuring that users have smarter, faster, and more interactive ways to work and learn.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
$1B Google initiative to support AI learning at universities
Google has announced a $1 billion, three year initiative to support artificial intelligence education at nonprofit colleges and universities in the U.S. The tech giant plans to offer direct grants, along with free access to AI tools and computing infrastructure. This ambitious effort aims to ensure students across diverse institutions, including public universities and minority-serving colleges, gain practical experience with AI technologies. Already, over 100 U.S. schools have signed on, including Texas A&M University and the University of North Carolina system. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Free access to advanced AI tools As part of the program, students will receive access to Google's premium AI platforms Gemini Advanced and Gemini for Deep Research at no cost. These tools, typically available through paid subscriptions, allow users to summarize research, generate content, and explore coding and data analysis in real time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Things Women Should NEVER Wear! Undo In addition to AI tools, participating institutions will receive Google Cloud credits, enabling them to incorporate AI based projects into academic courses without additional infrastructure spending. Preparing students for a changing workforce Google's investment comes amid growing concern about a widening skills gap in the workforce. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in industries from finance to healthcare, employers are seeking graduates with hands on experience in machine learning, automation, and ethical AI use. Live Events According to Google's Senior Vice President James Manyika, the initiative is about 'democratizing access to AI knowledge' and ensuring that 'students from all backgrounds can engage with transformative technologies.' Nationwide and long-term vision While the current focus is on U.S. based institutions, Google hinted that international expansion may follow. By embedding AI learning into traditional academic environments, the tech giant aims to foster widespread digital readiness among young professionals, ensuring no community is left behind in the AI revolution. FAQs: Q1. What is Google's AI education initiative about? A1. Google is investing $1 billion over three years to support AI education in U.S. nonprofit colleges and universities. The program includes grants, access to AI tools, and computing infrastructure. Q2. How will this initiative benefit students? A2. Students will gain hands-on experience with advanced AI platforms. This practical exposure will prepare them for emerging careers in AI and related fields.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Australia regulator says YouTube, others 'turning a blind eye' to child abuse material
Australia's internet watchdog has said the world's biggest social media firms are still "turning a blind eye" to online child sex abuse material on their platforms, and said YouTube in particular had been unresponsive to its enquiries. In a report released on Wednesday, the eSafety Commissioner said YouTube, along with Apple, failed to track the number of user reports it received of child sex abuse appearing on their platforms and also could not say how long it took them to respond to such reports. The Australian government decided last week to include YouTube in its world-first social media ban for teenagers, following eSafety's advice to overturn its planned exemption for the Alphabet-owned Google's video-sharing site. "When left to their own devices, these companies aren't prioritising the protection of children and are seemingly turning a blind eye to crimes occurring on their services," eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said in a statement. "No other consumer-facing industry would be given the licence to operate by enabling such heinous crimes against children on their premises, or services." A Google spokesperson said "eSafety's comments are rooted in reporting metrics, not online safety performance", adding that YouTube's systems proactively removed over 99% of all abuse content before being flagged or viewed. "Our focus remains on outcomes and detecting and removing (child sexual exploitation and abuse) on YouTube," the spokesperson said in a statement. Meta - owner of Facebook, Instagram and Threads, three of the biggest platforms with more than 3 billion users worldwide - has said it prohibits graphic videos. The eSafety Commissioner, an office set up to protect internet users, has mandated Apple, Discord, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Skype, Snap and WhatsApp to report on the measures they take to address child exploitation and abuse material in Australia. The report on their responses so far found a "range of safety deficiencies on their services which increases the risk that child sexual exploitation and abuse material and activity appear on the services". Safety gaps included failures to detect and prevent livestreaming of the material or block links to known child abuse material, as well as inadequate reporting mechanisms. It said platforms were also not using "hash-matching" technology on all parts of their services to identify images of child sexual abuse by checking them against a database. Google has said before that its anti-abuse measures include hash-matching technology and artificial intelligence. The Australian regulator said some providers had not made improvements to address these safety gaps on their services despite it putting them on notice in previous years. "In the case of Apple services and Google's YouTube, they didn't even answer our questions about how many user reports they received about child sexual abuse on their services or details of how many trust and safety personnel Apple and Google have on-staff," Inman Grant said.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Google commits $1 billion for AI training at US universities
More than 100 universities have signed on to the initiative so far, including some of the nation's largest public university systems such as Texas A&M and the University of North Carolina. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Alphabet's Google on Wednesday announced a three-year, $1 billion commitment to provide artificial intelligence training and tools to US higher education institutions and than 100 universities have signed on to the initiative so far, including some of the nation's largest public university systems such as Texas A&M and the University of North schools may receive cash funding and resources, such as cloud computing credits towards AI training for students as well as research on AI-related billion-dollar figure also includes the value of paid AI tools, such as an advanced version of the Gemini chatbot , which Google will give to college students for free. Google hopes to expand the program to every accredited nonprofit college in the US and is discussing similar plans in other countries, senior vice president James Manyika said in an declined to specify how much Google is earmarking in direct funds to external institutions relative to footing its own cloud and subscription bills. The announcement comes as rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic and Amazon have made similar pushes around AI in education as the technology pervades society. Microsoft in July pledged $4 billion to bolster AI in education evangelising their products to students, tech firms further stand to win business deals once those users enter the workforce.A growing body of research has mapped concerns around AI's role in education, from enabling cheating to eroding critical thinking, prompting some schools to consider bans. Manyika said Google had not faced resistance from administrators since it began to plot its education initiative earlier this year, but "many more questions" about AI-related concerns remain."We're hoping to learn together with these institutions about how best to use these tools," he said, adding that the insights could help shape future product decisions.
