Google Brings Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Search

Google just announced a big update to Search: AI Mode now comes with Personal Intelligence. In simple terms, it means Search can use your own context (like Gmail and Google Photos) to give answers that feel more tailored to you.

Here’s the gist:

• What’s new: AI Mode can connect to Gmail and Google Photos (if you opt in).
• How it works: It looks at things like trip confirmations in Gmail or photos from your last vacation to personalize search results.
• Examples:
  • Ask “What should I pack for my trip?” → It knows you’re flying to Paris next week.
  • Ask “Fun activities for my family?” → It might suggest things based on your recent photo memories.
• Privacy controls:
  • Completely opt-in.
  • You can disconnect Gmail/Photos anytime.
  • Gemini 3 powers the AI but doesn’t train directly on your inbox or photos.
• Transparency: Search shows inline notes when personalization is applied, and you can regenerate results “without personalization.”
• Availability:
  • Rolling out in the U.S. via Search Labs.
  • Limited to AI Pro/Ultra subscribers with personal accounts (not Workspace).
• Why it matters: It’s a step toward making Search less generic and more “yours,” but it also raises questions about how much personal data people are comfortable sharing with AI.