Google is continuing its push to make artificial intelligence more useful in everyday life. The tech giant has announced major upgrades to its AI Mode in Search, rolling out new agentic features, expanding to over 180 additional countries (including Malaysia), and supporting even more languages. This move signals Google's ambition to bring its AI closer to a true digital assistant—one that doesn't just answer questions, but actively helps people get things done.

From Simple Search to AI That Takes Action

Traditional Google Search is about retrieving information, but AI Mode is designed to go a step further. With these updates, users can now rely on Google's AI to handle real-world tasks like booking a restaurant table. Instead of manually searching, you can tell the AI what you want—a dinner spot for four people next Saturday, with a preference for Italian cuisine—and it will guide you through the details before presenting you with curated options.

What makes this powerful is that the AI doesn't just fetch results. It organizes them into a list of personalized recommendations, complete with direct links to booking pages. In other words, Google is nudging its AI toward becoming a true "agent" that acts on your behalf, not just a search tool.

Partnerships That Power the Experience

Behind the scenes, Google is tapping into multiple systems to make this work seamlessly. Its AI Mode leans on Project Mariner (Google's web-browsing AI agent), as well as long-standing tools like Knowledge Graph and Google Maps.

To ensure wide coverage, Google is also partnering with major restaurant booking platforms like Resy, Tock, and OpenTable. Beyond restaurants, Google has ambitious plans to broaden its agentic capabilities. Partnerships with Ticketmaster and StubHub will soon bring features like booking event tickets or reserving local services—turning Google Search into more of a personal concierge.

Available Globally, But With Some Limitations

While the expansion covers more than 180 new countries and many additional languages, access is still somewhat gated. Currently, the upgraded AI Mode is available only through Google's Labs platform, and some of the most advanced features are tied to the Google AI Ultra subscription plan in the US.

Subscribers also get another perk: memory. Google's AI can remember previous conversations and searches, which means it can refine recommendations over time based on your preferences. For example, if you've previously asked about vegetarian dining, the AI might highlight those options more prominently in future searches.

Collaboration Made Easier with Shared Conversations

Another interesting addition is the ability to share AI conversations with others. With a simple "Share" button, you can bring friends, family, or colleagues into the same AI chat. This is particularly useful for group planning—imagine organizing a night out, comparing restaurant options, or even coordinating tickets for a concert.

The person who starts the conversation retains control, with the ability to delete shared links at any time. This keeps collaboration flexible without sacrificing privacy.

What This Means for Users

For everyday users, these updates transform Google's AI from being a passive tool into an active assistant. Instead of bouncing between different websites, apps, and tabs, you can simply describe what you need, and the AI handles the heavy lifting.

As more countries and languages gain access—including Malaysia—Google is clearly signaling its goal: making AI not just something you experiment with, but something you rely on daily to simplify planning, booking, and decision-making.