Google Launches AI Mode for Search in the UK
Google has launched its AI-powered Search Mode in the United Kingdom as part of a global expansion of its experimental AI search experience.
This new version of Google Search uses artificial intelligence to give quicker, smarter, and more detailed answers instead of just showing a list of links.
What Is AI Mode?
AI Mode enhances traditional Google Search by using generative AI to summarize information from multiple sources into concise, helpful overviews.
When users ask complex questions, instead of receiving a list of links, they now get direct, AI-generated answers supported by cited sources.
Follow-up suggestions and side-by-side comparisons are also included
Key Features
Powered by Gemini 2.5 AI model: Offers advanced reasoning, multimodal inputs (text, voice, images), and quicker, richer responses.
Query fan‑out” technique: Queries are broken into subtopics and run in parallel to deliver detailed summaries with links.
AI Overviews integration: Summaries that point to source content for deeper exploration.
Support for follow-up prompts: Continue a conversation-like search for deeper insights.
Multimodal interaction: Ask via voice or upload images (through Lens) for more intuitive inputs.
Agentic tools (Deep Search): Hundreds of searches compiled into a fully-cited report.
AI‑powered calling: The AI can call businesses (e.g. local services) to gather info and summarize it to you.
Launch & Availability
UK residents aged 18 and above with English as their preferred language can now access AI Mode through Search Labs—a feature within the Google app and Chrome browser.
It’s currently available on desktop and mobile platforms.
Pricing
The basic AI Mode is free to try via Search Labs, but Google offers AI Pro (~$20/month) and AI Ultra (~$250/month) subscriptions for advanced capabilities, including:
Larger context windows, Deep Search summarie, Integration with Workspace and long-form content tools.
News Gist
Google’s AI Mode in Search has launched in the UK. It gives smart, quick answers using AI, not just links.
You can try it for free through Search Labs, with paid options for more tools.
It’s useful, but also raises questions about fairness for websites and the future of how we search.
