In a major leap towards democratising artificial intelligence for millions of Indian users, Google has officially rolled out its revolutionary ‘AI Mode’ to India, enabling people to interact with its AI-powered ecosystem seamlessly through voice, text, images, and multilingual commands. The announcement was made by Hema Budaraju, Senior Director of Product Management, Google Search, highlighting the company’s focus on inclusivity and accessibility in its AI initiatives for the country.
What is AI Mode?
AI Mode is a powerful new feature that integrates advanced generative AI capabilities within Google Search and other Google apps. It allows users to:
- Ask questions in their natural language, dialect, or regional mix.
- Use voice, text, or image inputs interchangeably.
- Receive contextual, summarised, and actionable results instantly.
- Generate creative text, ideas, translations, or drafts without switching apps.
Key Features of Google’s AI Mode
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Multimodal input support | Users can speak, type, or upload images to search or generate content. |
| Regional language compatibility | Supports Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, and more. |
| Contextual memory | Remembers the flow of conversation for smarter follow-ups. |
| Generative AI tools | Draft emails, create shopping lists, summarise articles, and brainstorm ideas directly within search. |
| Safety and transparency features | AI-generated responses labelled distinctly with factual attribution wherever possible. |
Google’s Vision for AI Mode in India
Announcing the rollout, Hema Budaraju said:
“India is a multilingual, multi-device ecosystem. AI Mode is designed to empower everyone to ask anything, any way they want – whether they speak Hinglish, upload an image of a problem, or want complex information summarised quickly. It is about making AI useful and accessible to every Indian.”
How AI Mode Works
- Activate AI Mode on Google Search app or Chrome by tapping the AI icon.
- Choose input method: voice, text, or image.
- Ask your question or share your query context.
- Google’s Gemini AI processes and displays results in conversational, summarised, or actionable formats.
- Continue follow-up questions without re-entering previous context, enhancing productivity and clarity.
AI Mode’s Impact on Indian Users
| User Group | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Students | Summarise lengthy chapters, solve numerical problems stepwise, brainstorm essay ideas. |
| Professionals | Draft emails, create presentations outlines, analyse data insights on the go. |
| Small businesses | Create product descriptions, draft marketing posts, and translate communication for regional outreach. |
| Rural users | Ask questions in native language voice inputs for weather, health, farming advisories. |
Early User Feedback
During the limited preview rollout in India, users reported:
- Higher productivity: Faster access to summarised and actionable information.
- Ease of use: Particularly for those less comfortable typing in English.
- Creative empowerment: Writers and creators using AI Mode to overcome creative blocks.
Competitive Landscape: How AI Mode Stands Out
| Platform | AI Offering | Differentiator |
|---|---|---|
| Google AI Mode | Multimodal, multilingual generative AI within Search and apps | Deep integration with Google ecosystem, seamless switch between input modes |
| Microsoft Copilot | Generative AI within Microsoft 365 apps | Strong productivity suite integration, focused on formal workflows |
| OpenAI ChatGPT | Conversational generative AI | Independent AI platform with plugin support |
| Bard (now Gemini Advanced) | Standalone Google AI chatbot | Advanced research-based conversational answers |
AI Mode uniquely integrates across Google’s existing services and apps, making it convenient for Indian users who rely heavily on Search, Chrome, Gmail, and Maps.
Rollout Plan and Availability
- Current status: Rolling out in phased manner for Android users first, followed by iOS in late July 2025.
- Supported apps: Google Search, Chrome browser, and integrated services like Gmail and Docs.
- Languages: Initial rollout in English and Hindi, with other regional languages expanding by end-2025.
Google’s Responsible AI Approach
Hema Budaraju emphasised that AI Mode is built with responsibility, inclusivity, and safety as core principles. Key safeguards include:
- Clear labelling of AI-generated content.
- Attribution to original sources for factual data.
- Bias mitigation measures to ensure culturally sensitive responses.
- User privacy protection with no saving of voice or image inputs beyond session use, unless opted in for personalisation.
Future Roadmap: What’s Next For AI Mode
- Expanded language capabilities: Including Assamese, Odia, Konkani, and Urdu by early 2026.
- Offline AI summaries: For low-data rural environments.
- Integration with Android Auto: Hands-free AI assistance while driving.
- Customisable AI personas: Tailored knowledge styles for professionals, students, and creatives.
Industry Experts’ View
Rajeev Chaudhary, technology analyst, commented:
“Google’s AI Mode brings the power of multimodal AI to the masses. Its regional language focus aligns perfectly with Digital India’s inclusion goals, especially in Tier 2-3 towns and rural pockets.”
Challenges Ahead
| Challenge | Details |
|---|---|
| Accuracy of regional inputs | Improving AI understanding of diverse accents and mixed-language queries. |
| User trust and adoption | Educating users about AI’s capabilities, limitations, and data privacy safeguards. |
| Infrastructure dependency | Requires stable internet connectivity for full functionality currently. |
Conclusion
With the launch of AI Mode in India, Google has made a bold and inclusive statement: AI is not just for tech elites but for every student, homemaker, worker, and entrepreneur looking to access knowledge, productivity, and creativity tools instantly and intuitively. As adoption grows, AI Mode is poised to redefine how over 800 million internet users in India interact with technology daily, bridging language and literacy divides with the power of artificial intelligence.
Disclaimer: This news content is for informational reporting purposes only. Readers are advised to check Google’s official announcements and support pages for detailed rollout timelines, feature availability, and privacy policy updates before using AI Mode for critical professional or personal tasks.
