Google I/O 2026: Search Transformed with AI Agents and Redesigned Search Box
AI Mode, powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, now serves over one billion monthly users globally.
At its annual I/O developer conference, Google announced a suite of updates to its Search product, including the global deployment of AI Mode powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, a redesigned search box, and the introduction of persistent "information agents" that operate continuously in the background.
AI Mode and Model Updates
Google has implemented Gemini 3.5 Flash as the default model for AI Mode in Search for all users globally, effective immediately. According to Liz Reid, VP and Head of Search, AI Mode has surpassed one billion monthly users, and query volumes within the feature have more than doubled each quarter since its launch.
Redesigned Search Box
Google introduced a redesigned search box that expands to accommodate longer queries and supports multimodal inputs, including images, files, videos, and Chrome tabs. The interface features AI-powered query suggestions that anticipate user intent, as well as shortcuts for AI Mode, Talk (Search Live), and Create (Nano Banana in Google Lens). A menu is also available for uploading images and documents.
Google described this as the "biggest upgrade to the Search box in over 25 years."
The new Search box rolled out beginning May 19 in all countries and languages where AI Mode is available.
Information Agents
Google announced "information agents," a new type of AI feature that works continuously in the background to monitor user-specified topics. Unlike traditional one-time searches, these agents synthesize information from multiple sources—including blogs, news sites, social posts, and real-time data for finance, shopping, and sports—and deliver synthesized updates and actionable insights.
Users can activate information agents by including phrases such as "keep me updated on" or "alert me when" in their prompts within AI Mode. Notifications are sent via the Google app, and active tracked topics appear in AI Mode history for management.
Example use cases include monitoring stock market trends, flight prices, sports teams, breaking news, housing or job market trends, and weather or traffic conditions.
Availability
Information agents will launch in summer 2026, initially rolling out to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the United States, with expansion to additional markets planned. Google stated that the feature will be available across all languages and markets where AI Mode is supported. The subscription cost for Google AI Ultra is $99.99 or $199.99 per month.
Agentic Booking and Generative UI
Google also announced agentic booking for local services, such as home repair or pet care. This feature, which includes the ability to call businesses on the user's behalf, will roll out to all U.S. users this summer.
Additionally, Search will gain the ability to generate custom visual tools, simulations, and dashboards (referred to as "mini apps") based on user queries. These generative UI features will be free for all users starting in summer 2026. Antigravity mini apps, which use Gemini and Google Antigravity to build dynamic layouts, will be available for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S. in the coming months.
Personal Intelligence Expansion
Personal Intelligence in AI Mode is expanding to nearly 200 countries and territories across 98 languages. The feature, which allows users to connect their Gmail and Google Photos accounts, no longer requires a subscription. Calendar support is expected in the future. Previously, this feature was available only to subscribers in select regions.
Industry Context
These updates align with Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s articulated vision of search evolving into an "agent manager," where users run long-running tasks rather than browse static results. Google reports that overall query volumes have reached an all-time high. However, independent measurements indicate that AI Overviews reduce click-through rates on queries where they appear.