Google has announced an expansion of its personalized search capabilities, bringing its Personal Intelligence feature into AI Mode within Google Search.
The update is designed to make search results more context-aware by securely drawing on a user’s own data across select Google services, including Gmail and Google Photos.
The company says the aim is to go beyond basic search results and deliver a more personalized experience for each user.
With this rollout, Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers can opt in to connect Gmail and Google Photos to AI Mode. This enables users to refer personal context such as travel plans, past purchases, and photo memories when generating responses.
According to Google, Personal Intelligence works by “connecting the dots” across apps to redirect insights that align with a user’s real-life preferences and plans. Instead of repeatedly specifying interests or background details, users receive recommendations that are customized from the start.
For instance, when users search for products, AI Mode can consider brands they’ve bought earlier, or preferences based on recent activity. In a specific case observed, Generative AI identified a recently purchased sneaker brand and recommended a new style from the same label that the user had not previously discovered.
Similarly, shopping suggestions can also include travel plans, weather, and timing, recommending items that match both the trip and the user’s style.
Speaking of security, Google emphasized that privacy and user control are central to the feature’s design. Connecting Gmail and Google Photos is strictly optional, and users can enable or disable these connections any time.
The latest development ventures another milestone in Google’s exhaustive effort to incorporate generative AI into Search while maintaining customization with data security and transparent approach.