With AI Mode, Google Search Is About to Get Even Chattier
WiredMAY 29
Google Unveils AI Mode Chatbot
Above: Google CEO Sundar Pichai addresses the crowd during Google's annual I/O developers conference in Mountain View, California, on May 20, 2025. Image copyright: Camille Cohen/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The AI Mode is a necessary evolution of search technology that will enhance user experience and productivity. The new features will make information more accessible and actionable, maintain connections to source material, and improve search efficiency through advanced AI capabilities that can understand context and handle complex queries.
Establishment-critical narrative
This transformation raises serious concerns about increased data collection and the future of web publishers and content creators who rely on traditional search traffic. The shift toward AI-generated summaries could significantly reduce website visits, disrupt established business models, and potentially concentrate more power in Google's hands.