Google announced at its I/O 2026 event that its Search has been upgraded to the Gemini 3.5 Flash model, promising faster inferencing and the capability to process different media types. The company introduced a new Intelligent Search Box that expands dynamically for complex queries, incorporating inputs like videos, images, files, and Chrome tabs. Google described the changes as its biggest enhancements to Search in the last 25 years, available immediately.
The Intelligent Search Box is designed to predict user intent and provide AI-powered suggestions beyond traditional autocomplete features. Users can ask follow-up questions to refine search results, enhancing interactivity with the AI. “It’s more intuitive than ever, dynamically expanding to give you space to describe exactly what you need,” said Liz Reid, Google’s head of Search, in a blog post.
For Gemini Pro and Ultra subscribers, Google plans to launch new agentic capabilities this summer. These include information agents that will search the web autonomously based on user prompts, gathering data from blogs, news sites, social media, and real-time information. These agents promise to facilitate more complex information retrieval compared to existing Google Alerts.
Free users will also receive agentic updates this summer, enabling them to book local experiences and services. Users will be able to find pricing for activities such as karaoke rooms and have Google call businesses to make appointments, akin to its Duplex AI feature launched in 2018.
Additionally, Google will integrate its agentic coding app, Antigravity, into Search. This feature will allow users to create generative UI elements and build mini apps within Search. A pilot version will be available to Gemini Pro and Ultra users in the coming months.
Google is expanding its Personal Intelligence feature in AI Mode to nearly 200 countries and 98 languages without requiring a subscription. This connection allows Gemini to interface with user Gmail, Photos, and Calendar, aiming for more accurate results while giving users control over account linkages. The company emphasized user choice in managing these connections.
