Google Tests Integration of AI Overviews with Conversational AI Mode in Search
In response to increasing competitive pressures, Google is piloting a new feature that combines its AI Overviews with AI Mode directly within its Search interface. This update allows users to engage more deeply with information by asking follow-up questions in a conversational format right after receiving AI-generated summaries of topics.
Initially launched to U.S. users in May and expanded globally in August, Google’s AI Mode allows for interactive dialogues with its Gemini AI, echoing functionalities found in platforms like ChatGPT. However, users previously needed to anticipate their need for deeper inquiry by navigating to the AI Mode tab, a restriction that could disrupt the natural flow of information-seeking.
With this latest test, unveiled on Monday, Google aims to streamline the user experience. Now, users can directly transition to AI Mode from the Search results page on mobile devices, with plans for broader rollout in the future. This feature encourages users to explore topics more thoroughly without the need to ‘think ahead’ about their questions.
This rollout coincides with OpenAI’s strategic shift toward enhancing its chatbot experience, following the introduction of Gemini’s recent features, which have attracted over 650 million monthly users. By merging conversational AI capabilities with the widely-used AI Overviews, which boast 2 billion monthly users, Google seeks to maintain a competitive edge in the evolving AI landscape.
Robby Stein, Google’s VP of Product for Search, emphasized that the new update aims to eliminate the burden of choosing how users ask questions. Stein stated, “You shouldn’t have to think about where or how to ask your question,” reiterating the vision of a more intuitive search experience where users can simply express their inquiries, no matter their complexity, and receive relevant information seamlessly.
