The short answer

Google has expanded its AI Mode integration across its search platform, introducing features like app interactions, multimodal search, and collaborative research tools.

  • AI Mode now supports interactions with select apps, including Instacart, Canva, and YouTube, enhancing user experience.
  • The introduction of multimodal search allows users to ask questions using text, voice, images, or files, providing more versatile search capabilities.
  • Collaborative research tools, such as NotebookLM's sharing feature, enable teams to work together on AI-generated insights from uploaded documents.
  • The genome research AI system can identify patterns in genetic data, potentially accelerating drug discovery and personalized medicine development.
  • AI Mode reduces the need to click through multiple search results by 40%, streamlining the information discovery process.
Reviewed & updated 26 Aug 2026

Google Expands AI Search and Launches Genome Research Tools

Google announced new ways to search with AI Mode and introduced public sharing capabilities for NotebookLM notebooks. The company continues building on its AI-powered search experience, which now processes over 1.5 billion monthly queries across more than 200 countries. These updates represent Google’s ongoing effort to maintain its search dominance amid growing competition from conversational AI platforms.

At AI Business Magazine, we’ve seen innovations like these take center stage at major AI conferences, where Google often outlines its long-term strategy for integrating AI into everyday workflows and scientific research. This latest rollout reinforces the company’s commitment to positioning AI not just as a convenience, but as a critical infrastructure for knowledge discovery and collaboration.

The tech giant also launched a new AI system designed to help researchers understand the human genome, expanding its reach beyond consumer applications into scientific research. This move reflects Google’s broader strategy to position AI as a tool for breakthrough discoveries across multiple fields.

AI Mode now supports more complex multi-step queries and provides better source attribution for generated responses. Users can ask follow-up questions without losing context, creating a more natural conversation flow. Google has also improved visual search capabilities, allowing users to search using images combined with text descriptions. The company reports that AI Mode reduces the need to click through multiple search results by 40%, streamlining the information discovery process.

NotebookLM’s sharing feature enables collaborative research projects, with teams able to work together on AI-generated insights from uploaded documents. Google plans to expand these capabilities to include real-time collaboration tools and integration with workspace applications. The genome research AI can identify patterns in genetic data that human researchers might miss, potentially accelerating drug discovery and personalized medicine development.


Frequently asked questions

What is AI Mode in Google Search?

AI Mode is Google's advanced AI-powered search feature that allows users to ask complex, multi-part questions and receive synthesized answers, including follow-up questions and supporting web links. ([search.google](https://search.google/intl/en-GB/ways-to-search/ai-mode/?utm_source=openai))

Which apps can be linked and interacted with in AI Mode?

As of July 2026, AI Mode supports interactions with select apps, including Instacart, Canva, and YouTube, allowing users to perform tasks across these platforms directly within AI Mode. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/16/googles-ai-mode-now-lets-you-link-and-interact-with-select-apps/?utm_source=openai))

How does AI Mode handle multimodal search?

AI Mode's multimodal search capabilities enable users to ask questions using text, voice, images, or files, providing a more versatile and comprehensive search experience. ([blog.google](https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/search/ai-mode-multimodal-search/?utm_source=openai))

What are the collaborative research tools in AI Mode?

Collaborative research tools, such as NotebookLM's sharing feature, allow teams to work together on AI-generated insights from uploaded documents, facilitating collaborative research projects. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/16/googles-ai-mode-now-lets-you-link-and-interact-with-select-apps/?utm_source=openai))

How does AI Mode impact the need for clicking through search results?

AI Mode reduces the need to click through multiple search results by 40%, streamlining the information discovery process and providing more direct answers to user queries. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/16/googles-ai-mode-now-lets-you-link-and-interact-with-select-apps/?utm_source=openai))