Google has introduced a new experimental feature to its recently launched AI Mode search. This update allows users to upload photos from their gallery or any other images directly into the service to discuss their contents with a chatbot. The feature brings expanded functionality to AI Mode, offering users a new way to interact with visual information through the help of artificial intelligence.
AI Mode itself is an experimental environment that enables users to chat with a neural network and receive information related to their search topics. The new image-based feature is essentially an updated version of Google Lens, built into the AI Mode experience. Users can now ask complex questions about the contents of an uploaded image, and the chatbot will analyze the image to provide context-aware responses.
Advanced Scene Recognition and Contextual Responses
According to Google, the service is capable of recognizing entire scenes in a photo, including colors, materials, and the shapes of objects. It also considers additional contextual factors to generate more accurate and useful answers. For example, when uploading a photo of a bookshelf, users can ask the AI for similar book recommendations. The system can interpret visual cues such as the volume or thickness of the books to refine its suggestions.
This enhancement places AI Mode closer in functionality to services like Perplexity and ChatGPT, offering a more comprehensive search experience that blends visual and conversational elements. The integration of image analysis into the chatbot framework marks another step toward more interactive and multimodal search tools.
AI Mode, including the new image upload capability, is currently available to all users participating in the Google Search Labs program, adds NIXSolutions. As of now, there is no official timeline for when this feature will become a permanent part of the general Google search engine experience. Yet we’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available.
By expanding the use of AI in visual understanding, Google continues to explore new possibilities in search technology. This experiment signals the company’s ongoing interest in developing smarter, more intuitive ways for users to engage with digital content.