Today at its I/O conference, Google unveiled the biggest transformation to the search bar in over 25 years. And yes — it’s AI-powered, because what else were you expecting in 2026?
One year after its debut, AI Mode now boasts over a billion monthly users. To power this next chapter, Google Search is upgraded with the Gemini 3.5 Flash model — also announced at I/O — and it’s now the default search model globally for all users.
To mark the arrival, Google has completely reimagined the search bar. The company says it’s more intuitive than ever, describing it as a dynamic interface that expands to give you room to describe exactly what you need. It anticipates your intent and helps craft queries with AI-powered suggestions that go far beyond traditional autocomplete.
Users can now search using text, images, files, videos, and even Chrome tabs as inputs. The intelligent search bar is rolling out today in all countries and languages where AI Mode is available. You can now easily ask follow-up questions from an AI Overview and jump directly into a conversational back-and-forth with AI Mode. This experience is available today across desktop and mobile worldwide.
This summer, search agents will launch for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. These agents operate in the background 24/7 to find what you need and keep you updated on what matters most. For example, if you’re house hunting, just describe your exact requirements and these agents will continuously scan listings and notify you when properties match your needs.
Agentic booking capabilities are also expanding this summer in the US, supporting a wide range of new tasks including local experiences and services. Google will even be able to call businesses on your behalf for select categories like home repair, beauty, or pet care.
Finally, Personal Intelligence in AI Mode is expanding to more users in nearly 200 countries and territories across 98 languages — with no subscription required. You can connect Gmail and Google Photos, with Google Calendar support coming soon.
