Google is turning Search into your personal tutor, coach, and research assistant. With Canvas and real-time AI updates, digging deep just got easier than ever.
Google Search Just Got a Massive AI Upgrade—and It’s Built to Work Like You Think
In a major push to redefine how we interact with Search, Google has announced a fresh set of upgrades to its experimental AI Mode, and the new tools feel tailor-made for modern learners, researchers, and knowledge-seekers. These additions—like Canvas, Search Live, and expanded file support—bring a more personal, context-aware AI assistant right inside the search bar.
Key Takeaways:
- Canvas lets users create custom study guides and build on sessions over time
- Search Live via Google Lens allows real-time AI interaction using your phone’s camera
- Support for PDFs and desktop Lens expands how users can ask AI questions about content
- Google Drive file support is on the way, promising even more file types soon
- Features available to users enrolled in the AI Mode Labs experiment in the U.S.
Let’s break it down.
Canvas: Turning Search Into a Smart Study Buddy
One of the headlining features is Canvas, a side panel experience that helps users organize thoughts, ask follow-up questions, and build structured study plans. It works like a persistent digital whiteboard, where each interaction builds on the last. Need help prepping for a test? Just click “Create Canvas,” and AI Mode will begin curating a plan, letting you fine-tune it with ongoing prompts.
Soon, users will even be able to upload class notes or a syllabus to tailor their learning materials—something especially useful for students and lifelong learners.
Search Live: Seeing Is Learning
With Project Astra capabilities now embedded into Search Live, AI Mode becomes your real-time visual tutor. Open Lens, tap the Live icon, and point your phone at an object or document—then just ask your question.
“It’s like having an expert on speed dial who sees what you see,” said Google’s VP of Product, Robby Stein. You can ask about anything in your environment and get real-time responses with helpful links or explanations.
This update is rolling out this week for mobile users in the U.S. who are part of the AI Mode Labs test group.
More Power on Desktop
Google isn’t stopping at mobile. It’s also enhancing AI Mode on desktop, where users can now ask questions about what’s on their screen. For instance, stuck on a tricky geometry diagram? Click “Ask Google about this page,” highlight the diagram, and AI Mode will generate an AI Overview with insights in the side panel.
Even better—desktop now supports PDF uploads. Upload your lecture slides, and the AI can walk you through the material with contextual answers and clarifications.
Coming later this year: support for Google Drive files, expanding AI Mode’s ability to interact with your personal content ecosystem.
Conclusion
Google is inching closer to making Search feel like a real-time thinking partner. With Canvas, Search Live, and desktop tools, AI Mode is becoming a daily essential—not just a tech experiment.