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Google Expands AI Mode with Gemini 2.5 Pro, Deep Search & AI-Powered Phone Calls

Google’s continued push into integrating artificial intelligence directly into the user search experience has taken another decisive step forward. As of today, Google is rolling out significant updates to AI Mode, primarily through the inclusion of the Gemini 2.5 Pro model and the much-anticipated Deep Search feature. These tools are now available to users subscribed to either Google AI Pro or AI Ultra — a clear indication that Google is increasingly positioning AI Mode as the front door to Search, not just an enhancement.

I’ve been closely observing how tech giants are pivoting towards AI-first strategies, and what’s happening here aligns strongly with that pattern. Gemini 2.5 Pro, coupled with Deep Search, doesn’t just make the search process smarter — it redefines it. Deep Search goes well beyond keyword matching, aiming to understand the context of queries and deliver nuanced, layered results. If done right, this can dramatically reduce the need to rephrase searches or click through multiple pages to find exactly what you need.

What intrigues me more, however, is the subtle reshaping of how users will engage with Google in general. AI Mode is no longer a side feature — it is being cultivated as the default user interface. For those of us who rely heavily on precise, reliable information retrieval, that’s both a fascinating and mildly cautionary shift.

Expanding Practical AI with Phone Calls

Beyond AI Mode itself, Google is extending the AI-driven experience into more tangible, real-world tasks. The company is launching its AI phone calling feature — part of the broader Project Astra initiative — and while its capabilities are currently limited, the implication is crystal clear: Google’s AI isn’t just answering your questions anymore; it’s stepping into conversations on your behalf.

Right now, this feature will be able to place phone calls to local businesses to ask about basic information like pricing and availability. It’s rolling out to all Search users, but those with AI Pro or Ultra subscriptions will benefit from higher usage limits. The phrasing of features like “Have AI check prices” is subtle, but it suggests a future where direct user action might be reduced to mere approvals.

There’s a part of me that sees this as brilliant design. Another part is cautiously optimistic. Delegating real-world tasks to an AI agent means we’re now entering the zone of agentic computing — where machines don’t just assist but initiate and complete actions. That’s a powerful shift in user behavior and system responsibility.

As someone who regularly evaluates emerging tech trends, I find Google’s approach measured, even if bold. It’s testing boundaries but doing so within the structural guardrails of subscription tiers and limited rollout. And while it’s still early, the shape of search — and the AI-powered interface between people and information — is clearly being redrawn.

Google Expands AI Mode with Gemini 2.5 Pro, Deep Search & AI-Powered Phone Calls

Google Expands AI Mode with Gemini 2.5 Pro, Deep Search & AI-Powered Phone Calls

Google’s continued push into integrating artificial intelligence directly into the user search experience has taken another decisive step forward. As of today, Google is rolling out significant updates to AI Mode, primarily through the inclusion of the Gemini 2.5 Pro model and the much-anticipated Deep Search feature. These tools are now available to users subscribed to either Google AI Pro or AI Ultra — a clear indication that Google is increasingly positioning AI Mode as the front door to Search, not just an enhancement.

I’ve been closely observing how tech giants are pivoting towards AI-first strategies, and what’s happening here aligns strongly with that pattern. Gemini 2.5 Pro, coupled with Deep Search, doesn’t just make the search process smarter — it redefines it. Deep Search goes well beyond keyword matching, aiming to understand the context of queries and deliver nuanced, layered results. If done right, this can dramatically reduce the need to rephrase searches or click through multiple pages to find exactly what you need.

What intrigues me more, however, is the subtle reshaping of how users will engage with Google in general. AI Mode is no longer a side feature — it is being cultivated as the default user interface. For those of us who rely heavily on precise, reliable information retrieval, that’s both a fascinating and mildly cautionary shift.

Expanding Practical AI with Phone Calls

Beyond AI Mode itself, Google is extending the AI-driven experience into more tangible, real-world tasks. The company is launching its AI phone calling feature — part of the broader Project Astra initiative — and while its capabilities are currently limited, the implication is crystal clear: Google’s AI isn’t just answering your questions anymore; it’s stepping into conversations on your behalf.

Right now, this feature will be able to place phone calls to local businesses to ask about basic information like pricing and availability. It’s rolling out to all Search users, but those with AI Pro or Ultra subscriptions will benefit from higher usage limits. The phrasing of features like “Have AI check prices” is subtle, but it suggests a future where direct user action might be reduced to mere approvals.

There’s a part of me that sees this as brilliant design. Another part is cautiously optimistic. Delegating real-world tasks to an AI agent means we’re now entering the zone of agentic computing — where machines don’t just assist but initiate and complete actions. That’s a powerful shift in user behavior and system responsibility.

As someone who regularly evaluates emerging tech trends, I find Google’s approach measured, even if bold. It’s testing boundaries but doing so within the structural guardrails of subscription tiers and limited rollout. And while it’s still early, the shape of search — and the AI-powered interface between people and information — is clearly being redrawn.