Researchers say Google AI Mode changes recommendations based on your emails (www.techradar.com)

Researchers from iPullRank have discovered that Google's AI Mode significantly adjusts search results based on a user's Gmail activity. Their study, which analyzed nearly 2,000 AI Mode responses, revealed that brands connected to users' personal email data appeared almost three times more frequently in search results, particularly for shopping categories like clothing and appliances. This trend highlights a concerning shift where AI search could reinforce existing habits rather than encourage users to explore new options. This finding underscores a potential limitation of personalized AI-powered search engines, as it suggests these systems might operate as confirmation-bias tools, presenting users with familiar brands instead of facilitating serendipitous discoveries. Though the opt-in Personal Intelligence feature aims to enhance user experience, it risks transforming Google Search from an explorative tool into a digital mirror reflecting users' established preferences. While users can disable this feature, the implications for the future of AI in search necessitate a critical examination of how personalization might limit the discovery of diverse content online.