Highlights
- Google’s AI Mode in Search now integrates Gmail and Google Photos to deliver customised, context-aware answers.
- It can suggest products based on past purchases and create tailored travel itineraries by referencing booking details and personal photos.
- The opt-in feature is limited to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US.
Google AI Mode for More Personalised Search Answers. (Image credit – Unknown)
Google is rolling out Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Google Search after introducing the same capability within the Gemini app. With this update, AI Mode can draw on a user’s personal context to surface deeper insights and deliver more relevant and customised search results.
As part of this enhancement, AI Mode can now connect with Gmail and Google Photos during searches, allowing it to generate personalised responses based on a user’s data and activity.
What Google’s Personal AI Search Can Do?
As an example, Google highlighted how the updated AI Mode can improve shopping-related searches by factoring in past purchases. By analysing shopping history, the feature can suggest products that better align with individual preferences.
Robby Stein, VP of Product, Google Search, shared a personal example in a blog post, saying, “I was looking for a new pair of sneakers, and AI Mode noticed a brand I’d just bought and suggested a new style I hadn’t seen yet. The recommendation was spot on — I bought them instantly!”
The company also explained how AI Mode can assist with travel planning by referencing booking details stored in Gmail and past travel photos saved in Google Photos. This allows the tool to create tailored itineraries rather than generic lists of suggestions.
The tech giant explained, “Say you’re looking for things to do and places to eat that the whole family would enjoy ahead of your upcoming getaway. With Personal Intelligence, AI Mode can reference your hotel booking in Gmail and travel memories in Google Photos, to suggest an itinerary with something for everyone.”
“You’ll see tailored recommendations like an interactive museum perfect for the kids or an old-timey ice cream parlor, because it recalls the many ice-cream selfies captured in your pictures. It’s not just a generic list of restaurants and activities; it’s a personalized starting point for your next great weekend,” the company added.
Privacy and Rollout Details
Google has clarified that Personal Intelligence is an opt-in feature. Users must manually connect their Gmail and Google Photos accounts to Search if they want AI Mode to deliver these personalised experiences.
On the privacy front, Google says AI Mode does not directly train on users’ Gmail inboxes or Google Photos libraries. According to the company, training is restricted to limited information within specific prompts and the model’s responses with the goal to “improve functionality over time.”
The rollout is currently happening through Search Labs and is limited to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US. The feature is only available for personal Google accounts and is not supported for Workspace business, enterprise, or education users.
FAQs
Q1. What new capability has Google added to AI Mode in Search?
Answer. Google has introduced Personal Intelligence, allowing AI Mode to connect with Gmail and Google Photos for more personalised search answers.
Q2. How can AI Mode use personal data to improve search results?
Answer. It can analyse shopping history from Gmail to suggest products, or reference travel bookings and photos to create tailored itineraries.
Q3. Is the Personal Intelligence feature available to all users?
Answer. No, it’s opt-in and currently limited to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US, for personal accounts only.