Google Rebuilds Search Around AI

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Rebecca Schneid writes in TIME that Google is reimagining its search bar with AI, marking what she describes as the biggest shift in Search in over 25 years. The new search box will run on Google’s Gemini 3.5 Flash model.

Meanwhile, Sarah Perez, writing for TechCrunch, frames the announcement from Google’s I/O conference, where the company unveiled an “intelligent search box” designed for interactive experiences instead of just displaying a list of links. Perez points out that the box can handle longer, conversational queries and even encourages follow-up questions in AI Mode.

Below are key highlights from the TIME reporting:

  • A 25-year overhaul. Schneid reports the search bar will be completely reimagined with AI, the largest shift in over 25 years, and powered by Google’s new Gemini 3.5 Flash model.
  • A new way to search. According to Schneid, Search will generate AI-summarized pages and let people search with images, files, videos, or open Chrome tabs. Perez adds that the box accepts longer, conversational queries with follow-ups in AI Mode.
  • Information agents. Schneid describes AI “information agents,” including a background tool called Gemini Spark, that track specific topics for a user, such as new apartment listings or market movements, and report back when set conditions are met. Google’s head of Search, Liz Reid told TIME an agent can “map out a monitoring plan for you” and return a synthesized update with links to explore further.
  • Pressure on the open web. Schneid reports that a single, universal search box could cut traffic to news publishers, content creators, and small businesses that rely on organic search, and may pull users away from other parts of the web.
  • The money behind it. Schneid notes Google and Alphabet expect capital spending of $180 billion to $190 billion in 2026, largely for AI infrastructure and chips, while advertising revenue rose nearly 16 percent year over year to $77 billion last quarter.

Schneid notes that these changes might completely alter how we discover information online, especially affecting industries that depend on search-driven traffic.

Acknowledgement: This summary was generated using AI writing tools as part of my AI Explorations process. For more, see the original articles linked below.

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