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Google has been at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into its ecosystem, transforming how users interact with information. With the introduction of AI-powered features like AI Mode and AI Overviews, Google Search has evolved beyond traditional link-based results to deliver conversational, synthesized answers for complex queries. As of July 2025, Google’s AI tools span Search, productivity apps, and creative platforms, leveraging models like Gemini 2.5 to enhance user experiences. This article provides a comprehensive review of Google’s AI tools and features, practical guidance on using AI Mode in Google Search.

Full List of Google AI Tools and Features

Google’s AI ecosystem is powered by advanced models like Gemini, with tools integrated across Search, Workspace, and standalone apps. Below is a detailed overview of the key AI tools and features as of July 2025, based on announcements from Google I/O 2025 and other sources.

1. AI Mode in Google Search

  • Description: AI Mode is a chatbot-style search experience that delivers comprehensive, AI-generated responses for complex, multi-part, or nuanced queries. Powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5, it uses a “query fan-out” technique to issue multiple related searches across subtopics and data sources, synthesizing results into a cohesive answer with links for further exploration.
  • Key Features:
    • Conversational Responses: Provides full-sentence answers, summaries, bullet points, or comparisons, with follow-up question support.
    • Multimodal Search: Handles text, voice, and image inputs via Google Lens integration (e.g., identifying objects in photos or answering questions about images).
    • Deep Search: An advanced feature (available in Search Labs) that conducts hundreds of searches to produce fully cited, expert-level reports in minutes, ideal for in-depth research.
    • Agentic Capabilities: Supports tasks like finding event tickets, making reservations, or comparing products by analyzing real-time data (e.g., ticket prices, restaurant availability).
    • Personalization: Can incorporate user context from Gmail or past searches (with opt-in consent) for tailored results, such as restaurant suggestions based on bookings.
  • User Experience: AI Mode excels at complex tasks like product comparisons or trip planning, often reducing the need for multiple searches. However, it can occasionally misinterpret web content or provide outdated information (e.g., recommending a closed restaurant). Users appreciate its conversational interface but should fact-check critical responses.
  • Availability: Available to all U.S. users (no Search Labs opt-in required since May 2025), with expansion to India and other regions in English. Requires a personal Google Account, age 18+, and is not available for Workspace accounts.

2. AI Overviews

  • Description: AI Overviews provide AI-generated snapshots at the top of search results, summarizing key information with links to dig deeper. Powered by Gemini 2.5, they appear when generative AI can enhance results for complex or broad queries.
  • Key Features:
    • Summarization: Condenses information from multiple sources into paragraphs or bullet points.
    • Customizable Responses: Users can adjust language simplicity or detail level (available in Search Labs).
    • Organized with AI: Groups search results into topics for easier exploration (U.S., English only).
  • User Experience: Used by over a billion people, AI Overviews boost search frequency by 10% for supported queries, driving traffic to diverse websites. However, early issues with accuracy (e.g., absurd answers) have improved but persist, requiring critical evaluation. Click-through rates are lower than traditional results, but visitors are often more engaged.
  • Availability: Available globally in multiple languages, with enhanced capabilities for users opted into “AI Overviews and more” in Search Labs. Cannot be fully disabled, but the “Web” filter shows only text-based links.

3. Gemini App

  • Description: A standalone conversational AI assistant (formerly Bard), powered by Gemini 2.5, offering advanced reasoning for tasks like coding, math, and creative collaboration. It integrates with Google apps like Flights, YouTube, and Workspace.
  • Key Features:
    • Deep Think Mode: Enhances reasoning for complex queries in math and coding.
    • Multimodal Inputs: Supports text, voice, and image queries.
    • Workspace Integration: Summarizes emails, rewrites documents, or builds presentations in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet.
  • User Experience: Gemini is intuitive for standalone queries or app-integrated tasks, competing with ChatGPT. Its Deep Think mode is powerful but less accessible than AI Mode’s search-focused interface.
  • Availability: Available globally in select languages, with higher limits via Google AI Pro/Ultra plans (18+).

4. NotebookLM

  • Description: An AI-powered research tool that generates summaries, mind maps, and audio overviews from uploaded documents or web sources, ideal for studying or organizing information.
  • Key Features:
    • Summarization and Mind Maps: Creates structured summaries or visual connections between ideas.
    • Audio Overviews: Generates podcast-style explanations of content.
  • User Experience: NotebookLM is highly valued for academic and professional research, offering a unique way to digest dense material. Its audio feature is engaging but less versatile for quick searches.
  • Availability: Accessible via Google Labs or Google AI plans.

5. Google Lens

  • Description: An image-based search tool integrated into AI Mode and the Google app, allowing users to analyze photos or screenshots to identify objects, text, or scenes.
  • Key Features:
    • Object Recognition: Identifies items like books, plants, or products in images.
    • Text Extraction: Pulls text from images for translation or queries.
    • Multimodal Queries: Combines image and text inputs for comprehensive answers.
  • User Experience: Lens enhances AI Mode’s multimodal capabilities, making it ideal for visual learners or real-world queries (e.g., identifying a book on a shelf). It’s seamless but limited to mobile devices.
  • Availability: Available in the Google app (Android/iOS) and AI Mode.

6. Flow and Whisk

  • Description: AI-powered creative tools for video and image generation. Flow uses Veo 3 for cinematic video creation, while Whisk generates images and animates them into videos from text or image prompts.
  • Key Features:
    • Video Generation: Flow creates realistic videos; Whisk turns images into short clips.
    • Integration: Works with Gemini and Google AI plans for enhanced limits.
  • User Experience: These tools are creative and user-friendly but cater to niche use cases like content creation. Limited customization options may restrict professional use.
  • Availability: Available via Google AI Pro/Ultra plans in select countries.

7. Project Mariner

  • Description: An experimental AI agent that automates tasks like booking tickets or reservations, integrated into AI Mode. It analyzes real-time data and handles form-filling.
  • User Experience: Early tests show promise for task automation, but users must verify results due to potential errors (e.g., incorrect pricing).
  • Availability: U.S.-only, via Search Labs.

8. Other Experimental Tools

  • Daily Listen: AI-powered audio updates on user-selected topics.
  • Career Dreamer: Provides career advice using AI-driven insights.
  • User Experience: These tools are niche but innovative, appealing to specific audiences like job seekers or news enthusiasts.
  • Availability: Accessible via Google Labs or Google AI plans.

How to Use AI Mode in Google Search

Getting Started

  1. Check Eligibility: AI Mode is available to users 18+ with a personal Google Account (not Workspace accounts) in the U.S. and select regions (e.g., India for English queries). No Search Labs opt-in is required as of May 2025.
  2. Access AI Mode:
    • Desktop: Visit google.com, sign in, and click the “AI Mode” tab under the search bar. Alternatively, go to google.com/aimode.
    • Mobile: Open the Google app (Android/iOS), tap “AI Mode” on the home screen, or access it from the search results page.
  3. Enable Search Labs (Optional): For experimental features like Deep Search, sign into your Google Account, visit Labs (top-right beaker icon), and toggle on “AI Mode” or “AI Overviews and more.”
  4. Privacy Note: AI Mode uses anonymized data, with automated tools removing sensitive information. Users can opt into personalization (e.g., Gmail integration) for tailored results. Feedback via thumbs up/down icons helps improve accuracy.

Using AI Mode

  • Text Queries:
    • Enter a question in the “Ask anything” bar (e.g., “Compare sleep tracking features of smart rings vs. smartwatches”). AI Mode generates a synthesized response with summaries, comparisons, or bullet points, plus links to sources.
    • Ask follow-up questions to refine results (e.g., “Which smart ring is best for battery life?”).
  • Voice Queries:
    • Tap the microphone in the “Ask anything” bar and speak your query. Follow-ups work similarly. Available only in the Google app.
  • Image Queries (via Google Lens):
    • In the Google app, tap Google Lens, upload an image or take a photo, and ask a question (e.g., “What books are on this shelf?”). AI Mode provides a response with details and links.
  • Deep Search:
    • Opt into Search Labs, enable Deep Search, and ask complex questions (e.g., “Analyze the impact of renewable energy policies”). AI Mode generates a cited report.
  • Agentic Tasks:
    • For tasks like booking tickets, enter a query (e.g., “Find affordable Reds game tickets for Saturday”). AI Mode lists options with real-time pricing and links to purchase, requiring user confirmation.
  • Switching Modes:
    • Toggle between AI Mode and traditional search results by tapping “All” at the top of the screen.

Tips for Best Results

  • Be Specific: Use detailed, multi-part questions for optimal AI Mode responses (e.g., “What are low-maintenance garden vegetables for beginners?”).
  • Fact-Check: Verify critical information, as AI Mode may misinterpret web content or miss recent updates.
  • Use Multimodal Inputs: Combine text and images for richer answers, especially for visual queries.
  • Provide Feedback: Use thumbs up/down icons or “Share more feedback” to report inaccuracies, helping Google refine AI Mode.

User Experience and Observations

AI Mode transforms Google Search into a proactive, conversational tool, ideal for complex queries like product research or trip planning. Its query fan-out technique delivers nuanced answers, reducing the need for multiple searches, and its multimodal capabilities (text, voice, images) make it versatile. Deep Search is a standout for researchers, producing detailed reports, while agentic features streamline tasks like booking.

However, AI Mode isn’t flawless. It can provide inaccurate or outdated information, such as incorrect pricing or missing recent events (e.g., a closed restaurant). The interface is intuitive, with dynamic “thinking” animations, but click-through rates to cited websites are lower than traditional results, though engagement metrics are higher. Personalization via Gmail integration is powerful but raises privacy concerns for some users.

Compared to Apple Intelligence, AI Mode is more conversational and search-focused, while Apple’s tools prioritize ecosystem integration (e.g., Writing Tools, Siri). AI Overviews complement AI Mode by offering quick summaries, but their mandatory presence can clutter simple searches. Tools like Gemini, NotebookLM, and Flow cater to diverse needs, from coding to content creation, but require separate access or subscriptions.

Limitations

  • Accuracy Issues: AI Mode may misinterpret web content or miss recent updates, requiring user verification.
  • Availability: Limited to personal Google Accounts (18+) and select regions/languages, excluding Workspace users.
  • Click-Through Rates: Lower than traditional search, impacting website traffic, though engagement is higher.
  • Experimental Features: Deep Search and agentic capabilities are Labs-only, with limited rollout.

Conclusion

Google’s AI tools—AI Mode, AI Overviews, Gemini, NotebookLM, Google Lens, Flow, Whisk, and Project Mariner—represent a bold evolution of search and productivity, powered by Gemini 2.5. AI Mode stands out for its conversational, multimodal approach, making complex queries effortless, while tools like NotebookLM and Flow cater to research and creative needs. Despite occasional inaccuracies and limited availability, these tools enhance user experiences, especially for power users and researchers. To maximize AI Mode, use specific queries, leverage multimodal inputs, and verify critical information. For the latest updates, visit https://blog.google or join Search Labs at https://labs.google.com.