Google brings AI Mode to India: ‘Ask anything, any way you want,’ says Hema Budaraju

By | July 8, 2025
User trying Google AI Mode India with voice and image search features

In a landmark move that redefines how we interact with the web, Google has officially launched AI Mode in India. Announced by Hema Budaraju, Senior Director of Product Management at Google, the rollout marks a significant step forward in making search more conversational, intuitive, and inclusive.

“Ask anything, any way you want,” Budaraju said during the launch event, emphasizing the flexibility and power AI Mode brings to the table.

But what exactly is AI Mode, and why has Google chosen India as the first market outside the U.S. to go all-in? Let’s break it down.

What is AI Mode?

AI Mode is Google’s most ambitious upgrade to its search engine yet. It combines multimodal input—meaning users can ask questions using text, voice, or images—with the latest in AI capabilities powered by Google’s Gemini 2.5 model.

Unlike traditional search that delivers a list of links, AI Mode generates detailed, conversational answers, pulling information from across the web, Google’s Knowledge Graph, shopping data, and even real-time updates. It can also ask clarifying questions or follow up with suggestions, making your interaction with Google feel more like chatting with a smart assistant than using a search bar.

Why India?

India is not just a test market—it’s a proving ground.

  • Highest usage of Google Lens globally
  • Widespread adoption of voice search, especially in regional languages
  • Longer and more complex queries from users compared to other regions

This rich and diverse user behavior makes India the ideal setting to test and refine AI-driven experiences.

“As Indian users, we naturally talk to our phones. We ask full questions. We use voice and visuals every day,” Budaraju noted. “That’s exactly where AI Mode thrives.”

Key Features of AI Mode

  1. Multimodal Queries: Speak, type, or use an image to initiate a search.
  2. AI-Generated Overviews: Get a summary answer, not just links.
  3. Follow-up Prompts: Ask another question without starting over.
  4. Smart Suggestions: Google suggests related queries automatically.
  5. Confidence-Based Output: If the AI is unsure, it defaults to regular search results, ensuring accuracy.

For example, if you ask: “What are some kid-friendly hill stations near Delhi with activities under ₹500?” — AI Mode breaks the query into smaller tasks, searches for hotels, activities, pricing, and even safety reviews, all at once.

Powered by Gemini 2.5

At the heart of this innovation is Gemini 2.5, a cutting-edge AI model designed to handle complex queries. It uses a process called “query fan-out”—a method where your question is split into many sub-questions, all processed simultaneously to give a complete, precise response.

This technology allows for faster, more context-aware results that feel natural and helpful.

Rollout Details

AI Mode began rolling out on July 8, 2025, and is currently available to all English-language users in India—no Labs access, no beta invites, and no waitlists. Just open Google Search on mobile or desktop, and you’ll see the new “AI Mode” tab at the top.

The company has plans to extend this to other Indian languages like Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu in the coming months.

Impact on the Way Indians Search

This launch could shift how millions of Indians interact with technology:

  • Students can get study help with images of their textbooks.
  • Shoppers can search for products by snapping a picture.
  • Travelers can ask complex itinerary questions without using travel agents.
  • Seniors can use voice search for everyday needs in their own language.

For users with limited literacy or digital skills, this could be a game-changer.

A Step Toward the Future

By rolling out AI Mode in India first, Google is recognizing the country not just as a user base but as a co-creator in the future of search.

“We’re learning from Indian users every day,” Budaraju said. “Their needs and habits are helping us shape what AI Mode will become worldwide.”

This move also comes at a time when global tech giants are racing to bring AI to consumer products. From Microsoft’s Copilot to OpenAI’s ChatGPT integration with search engines, the competition is fierce. Google’s edge may lie in its understanding of real user behavior—and India offers the most complex and insightful dataset on that front.

Final Thoughts

Google’s AI Mode is not just a feature—it’s a paradigm shift in how we access information. With its rich combination of natural language understanding, visual search, and voice inputs, it promises a more human, less mechanical interaction with the digital world.

For now, India leads the way. And for millions of users across the country, the future of search has already begun.