New Delhi: Google has rolled out its experimental AI Mode to users in India through Search Labs, aiming to observe how users engage with complex queries in one of the company’s largest markets. The feature is available in English on the Google app for Android and iOS starting Tuesday.
Unlike traditional keyword-based searches, AI Mode enables users to type, speak, or snap photos of their queries in a more natural format. Google says early adopters are asking longer, context-heavy questions such as how to plan trips, compare electronic gadgets, or solve every day parenting challenges moving beyond conventional short-form searches.
Backed by the Gemini 2.5 model and integrated into Google’s existing search system, AI Mode breaks down queries into subtopics and delivers answers by combining search infrastructure with AI reasoning. The system is designed to offer richer, more structured responses, but if it fails to generate a confident AI response, it defaults to standard search results.
Google has highlighted that the AI Mode supports multimodal input allowing users to interact using text, voice, or images. This functionality is particularly relevant in India, where Google Lens usage leads globally. The AI Mode can, for instance, identify a plant from a photo and offer care instructions, including ideal indoor placement. India is among the first countries after the US to gain access to AI Mode. Google is using this phased rollout to gather feedback and improve the system based on regional usage patterns and language nuances. The company has stated that this is part of its iterative development approach and not a full commercial launch.
