On Tuesday, Google unveiled significant advancements to its renowned search bar, now integrating advanced artificial intelligence features. This development was announced during the company’s annual Google I/O conference, an event dedicated to software developers. The upgraded search bar will now handle more intricate and detailed user queries, resembling natural conversational questions rather than the traditional search syntax. This shift is facilitated by Google’s latest AI model, Gemini 3.5, which also debuted at the conference. The enhanced search function is designed to prompt users to interact with Google’s chatbot, marking a transformative change in how users engage with the platform.
Elizabeth Reid, who leads Google Search, emphasized that these changes represent the most significant overhaul in the service’s nearly 30-year history. The updates are being deployed globally across both desktop and mobile platforms. A promotional video showcased how the new results would appear, offering a more visually enriched experience similar to AI Overviews rather than the traditional list of links. Users still have the option to revert to the original search format by selecting a “Web” tab. With Google Search queries hitting a record high last month, the AI-powered interface has seen a substantial increase in user interaction, doubling every quarter since its introduction a year ago.
The Gemini AI aims to evolve into a “universal assistant” that is personal, proactive, and persistent, according to Josh Woodward, who is overseeing its development. Currently, the Gemini app boasts 900 million monthly users, trailing behind ChatGPT’s 900 million weekly users. The introduction of AI agents within Google’s search tool signifies a shift from a niche, business-centric user base to a broader consumer audience. Subscribers to the AI Pro and Ultra plans will have access to “information agents,” autonomous bots capable of conducting in-depth research and providing concise summaries or actionable plans.
In collaboration with partners such as Samsung, Warby Parker, and Gentle Monster, Google also introduced a line of intelligent eyewear. These glasses, available in both sunglass and eyeglass forms, are set to launch in the fall and will be equipped to respond to voice commands via Gemini. They also feature built-in cameras for capturing photos and videos. This move follows the path of other tech giants like Meta, which has been selling similar smart glasses in partnership with EssilorLuxottica since 2021. Despite Google’s previous venture into smart eyewear with Google Glass in 2014 — which was met with criticism and subsequently discontinued — the tech landscape has evolved, with augmented-reality glasses now being viewed as a key growth area for companies like Meta and Google.