Google adds AI Mode shortcut to Chrome on mobile — AI becomes front-and-center

Google has started rolling out an update to Chrome on Android and iOS that places an AI Mode shortcut directly on the browser’s new‑tab page, prominently positioned below the search bar. The change makes the feature more visible and accessible to users in the US, and Google says it will expand the shortcut to 160 additional countries and more languages soon.

AI Mode first surfaced in March via Google Labs and has been steadily rolled out since. At I/O 2025, Google confirmed broader availability in May; this new shortcut is the latest step to make conversational AI a core part of everyday browsing.

What to expect

• Placement: The AI Mode shortcut appears on Chrome’s new‑tab page below the search box for quick access.
• Capabilities: Google describes AI Mode as a way to ask multi‑part, complex questions and follow up to dive deeper, with relevant links and context provided inline.
• Global rollout: Initially in the US on mobile; support for Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and Portuguese is planned as Google expands to 160 countries.

Why it matters

Putting AI Mode front and center increases the likelihood people will use Google’s conversational features as part of normal search and browsing. That could change how users discover information and interact with Chrome — shifting some searches from typed queries to multi‑turn AI conversations.

However, the prominent placement has also raised questions about user choice and discoverability: making AI features unavoidable on the new tab could lead to more people relying on generated answers, for better or worse. Privacy advocates and power users may want to check Chrome’s settings for opt‑out or customization options as the rollout continues.

Practical tips

• If you prefer classic search, look for Chrome settings to hide or disable AI Mode on the new‑tab page.
• Try AI Mode for complex research tasks, but verify critical facts with authoritative sources.
• Watch for language support updates if you’re outside the initial rollout regions.

As Google continues to bake AI into its products, the line between search and conversational assistance will keep blurring. Expect more visible AI entry points in other Google apps and surfaces down the road.

For additional coverage of this update, see reporting from tech outlets (opens in a new tab): Engadget.

Discussion: Do you welcome AI Mode being placed on Chrome’s new‑tab page — or should AI features be less prominent? How would you like Chrome to balance AI assistance with user control?