Google may soon switch to AI Mode for search – and you’ll just have to deal with it (www.techradar.com)

Google is reportedly preparing to make its new AI Mode the default experience for Google Search, signaling a major shift from traditional link-based results to AI-powered, conversational answers. This mode integrates Google’s advanced Gemini AI with live search data to provide synthesized responses, moving away from the familiar list of web links. Currently accessible as a separate tab and promoted through a dedicated homepage, AI Mode’s potential default status underscores Google’s commitment to reshaping online information discovery. The implications are significant for the AI/ML community and the broader digital ecosystem. Publishers and website owners have already seen declines in traffic due to AI Overviews, which answer queries directly, reducing the need for users to visit external sites. If AI Mode becomes the search norm, this impact could intensify, disrupting how content creators monetize and engage with audiences. Technically, this shift highlights the growing role of generative AI models like Gemini in real-time information retrieval, blending natural language understanding with up-to-date search indexes. While Google executives have downplayed immediate changes, the mounting emphasis on AI Mode and its tens of millions of active users suggest a strategic pivot. For AI practitioners, this evolution signals a new era where AI not only aids but fundamentally transforms information access at scale, raising key questions about data flow, user behavior, and the future of online content ecosystems.