If you find that you cannot exist unless Google gives you even more AI in your life, the local launch of AI Mode will send you into paroxysms of joy. Launching for both web and mobile Search in 180 different countries, including South Africa, the new function promises to usher in “a new era of AI-powered search that is more intuitive, comprehensive, and helpful.”
How? According to Google, “AI Mode helps users tackle complex, multi-part questions with more intuitive responses, multimodal inputs, and deeper ways to explore topics.” The result can’t be much worse than what the company has done to its Search product in recent years.
Everything is AI Mode now
The company, alongside information on the product launch, published a new page giving prospective users an overview of how its AI function will (or should) work. It’s built using a customised version of Google’s Gemini 2.5 model that should, in theory, throw up detailed responses to complicated questions and searches.
Google Africa’s managing director, Alex Okosi, said, “We’re incredibly excited to bring AI Mode to our users in the region. We know that people in this region are curious and have complex questions about everything from planning a trip to understanding a new concept. With AI Mode, Google is reimagining the Search experience. Users will not only find the information they need more easily but will also be empowered to explore a wider range of content from across the web.”
The feature is rolling out now, though we have yet to see it here at Stuff. Once it does appear, we’ll risk being added to Google’s list of daily active Gemini users and ask it a few… tricky questions. Let’s see if AI Mode is as smart as the search giant thinks it is.
