Google Search Becomes “AI Search” — Supports Agent Features and Multimodal Input

Google said at I/O 2026 it is rebuilding Search around Gemini 3.5 and multimodal input, so users can search with text, images, and video.

The new AI Mode adds Search Agents that keep monitoring results and can help collect information over time.

Google also plans to generate mini apps and simulations directly on the results page, turning Search into a more interactive task platform.

The update pushes Search from simple retrieval toward conversation, automation, and action, reshaping the search competition.