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Google Search AI Mode now runs Gemini 3.5 Flash by default, adds AI agents, a dynamic search box and expands Personal Intelligence to 200 countries – see the
Google Search’s AI Mode switched to Gemini 3.5 Flash as the default model and rolled out AI agents, a dynamic search box and free Personal Intelligence in nearly 200 countries, marking the first upgrade that lets the service handle tasks beyond simple queries【1】.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Default model | Gemini 3.5 Flash |
| Monthly AI Mode users | > 1 billion |
| Personal Intelligence reach | ~200 countries, 98 languages |
| New features | Search agents, Antigravity mini‑apps, dynamic box |
Google announced that Gemini 3.5 Flash is now the default model for AI Mode worldwide, replacing the earlier Gemini 3 model used for AI Overviews since January【1】. The upgrade follows a pattern of model refreshes that began with Gemini 3 in the Gemini app in December. By making the faster, more capable Flash variant the baseline, Google aims to improve response quality for the billion‑plus monthly users of AI Mode, a figure that has more than doubled each quarter since launch【1】.
The most visible change is a redesigned search box that expands dynamically to accommodate longer, multimodal queries—including images, files, videos and even Chrome tabs—while still showing standard results【1】. Google calls it the biggest box upgrade in over 25 years, and the change is live across all languages where AI Mode is available.
Alongside the box, Google introduced “search agents” that run in the background to monitor the web for updates. The first agents, called information agents, will scan blogs, news sites and social posts, and tap Google’s real‑time finance and shopping data. These agents launch this summer for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers【1】. Agentic booking, which lets users share criteria and have Google call businesses on their behalf, will roll out to all U.S. users this summer【1】.
Google also unveiled the Antigravity platform, enabling Search to generate custom visual tools, simulations and “mini‑apps” such as health‑routine trackers or move‑management dashboards. These generative UI capabilities will be free for all users this summer, with the Antigravity mini‑apps initially limited to AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S.【1】.
Personal Intelligence, previously limited to paid subscribers, is now free and expanding to nearly 200 countries and territories in 98 languages. The feature lets users connect Gmail and Google Photos to AI Mode, with Calendar integration slated for a later date【1】.
These upgrades push Google Search toward a task‑oriented interface, where AI agents and generative tools can execute actions on behalf of users rather than merely returning links. The scale of the rollout—especially the free Personal Intelligence expansion—could reshape how content is surfaced, as the system now draws on personal data alongside web results, raising new questions about relevance, privacy and the role of traditional SEO.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 3 outlets · Jul 17, 2026 · How we report
AI Mode can connect to third‑party apps like Canva, YouTube Music, and Instacart, allowing users to create designs, build playlists, and fill shopping carts directly from the search interface.
The institute labeled AI Overviews and AI Mode as an "unacceptable risk" for children, claiming the tools failed to detect suicide risks, mischaracterized eating disorder symptoms, and provided instructions for deepfake creation.
Google says its AI features include strong quality and safety guardrails, parental controls, and that many of the report’s highlighted responses could not be replicated or verified.
Gemma 4 E2B runs AI tasks locally on Pixel’s Tensor chip, enabling faster responses, offline functionality, and keeping user data on the device rather than in the cloud.
According to the safety report, there is currently no way for administrators or parents to turn off the integrated AI features on Google Search.