Archive — US — techcrunch
Google’s AI Mode now lets users ask complex questions about images
Google's AI Mode adds multimodal search capabilities, enabling users to ask complex questions about images. Powered by Google Lens, it analyzes images to provide contextual information, allowing follow-up inquiries to refine results. The feature is expanding access to millions more users, enhancing competition with services like ChatGPT.
Key points
- Google introduces multimodal search in AI Mode, enhancing user interaction.
- Users can upload or capture images and ask complex queries about them.
- AI Mode utilizes Google Lens for image analysis, recognizing object relationships.
- The technique 'query fan-out' allows for detailed information retrieval.
- AI Mode was previously limited to Google One AI Premium subscribers.
- The rollout aims to compete with services like Perplexity and OpenAI's ChatGPT Search.
Why it matters
- The rise of multimodal AI tools is a 2025 trend, integrating visual and textual understanding.
- The competition between AI services is intensifying, with companies rapidly innovating features.
- User demand for more interactive and contextual search features is shaping IT developments.
Google's introduction of advanced AI features reflects the growing trend of multimodal AI, enhancing user search capabilities and marking a significant shift in how users interact with technology.