The way we ‘Google’ is changing. Disorienting as it may be, our favourite search engine is becoming an ‘answer engine’. But do the benefits outweigh the downsides?

At last year's I/O conference, Google introduced AI Overviews, which have driven a major shift in Google search and in the internet's information environment at large. AI Mode promises an even deeper, more chatbot-like experience right in the search bar.

Head over to the Google homepage and select AI Mode, seen on the right-hand side of the search bar. Open the Google app on a mobile device and tap AI Mode on the homescreen. A global rollout for the feature is possibly imminent, though Google hasn't made any announcements yet. Let's see how this new AI-powered search fares.