Here’s what users can expect

Google has begun rolling out its most advanced AI-powered search experience, dubbed “AI Mode,” across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The feature, launching initially in English, will be available to all users gradually over the next few days.

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AI Mode represents a significant leap in search capabilities, integrating multimodal input, advanced reasoning, and follow-up questioning to tackle complex queries more efficiently than ever before. The feature will be accessible as a dedicated tab on the Google Search results page and within the Google app on Android and iOS devices.

“We’re excited to bring AI Mode to more users across MENA, starting with English,” Google said in a statement. “This is our most powerful search experience yet, and we’re looking forward to expanding it to more languages and regions soon.”

A new era of AI-powered search

AI Mode is built on a custom version of Google’s Gemini 2.5 model, enabling users to submit more nuanced and layered queries that would traditionally require multiple searches. Google says the new tool is ideal for tackling exploratory or complex topics, from trip planning and product comparisons to in-depth how-to guides.

According to the company, early adopters are already posing significantly longer queries, often double or triple the length of standard search inputs.

An example query might be: “I want to learn more about the new Seven Wonders of the World. What’s the significance of each, and where are they located?” AI Mode processes this type of question by breaking it into subtopics using what Google calls its “query fan-out” technique. This allows the system to run multiple simultaneous searches, delivering more comprehensive, relevant results than a traditional search.

Multimodal functionality: Beyond just text

AI Mode introduces multimodal capabilities, allowing users to ask questions through text, voice, or images. By tapping the microphone icon, users can speak their query or upload photos directly into the search bar.

This new flexibility is intended to make search more intuitive and accessible for everyone, regardless of how they prefer to interact with technology.

“The future of search is multimodal,” Google said. “AI Mode is designed to understand input from different formats and provide rich, meaningful responses.”

Prioritising high-quality information

As Google continues to incorporate artificial intelligence into its core search infrastructure, the company says it’s committed to maintaining high standards of information quality and source diversity. The new system builds upon Google’s existing ranking models and is designed to surface content from a wide range of reputable sources.

This commitment was also evident in May when Google launched AI Overviews, another AI-powered tool that summarises complex information directly in the search interface. According to Google, AI Overviews have led users to explore a broader range of websites, often resulting in longer, more meaningful visits.

AI Mode also adapts dynamically based on confidence levels. If the system is not sufficiently confident in the AI-generated response, it defaults to a standard web search result. “We aim to show an AI-powered response as much as possible, but in cases where confidence is low, we prioritise traditional results,” the company stated.

Looking ahead

While Google acknowledges that AI Mode is still in its early stages, it emphasised ongoing efforts to refine the feature. “We won’t always get it right,” the company admitted. “But we are committed to continuous improvement and to helping users get the most out of the web.”

As AI Mode begins its rollout across the MENA region, it marks a significant step forward in how users can interact with and benefit from artificial intelligence in everyday search experiences.