Google announced its biggest Search redesign in 25 years at I/O 2026, replacing the traditional search box with an AI-powered interface built on Gemini 3.5 Flash. Key features include 'information agents' that monitor the web 24/7 and alert users to relevant changes, generative UI that builds custom widgets and tools on the fly, and 'mini-apps' users can create in natural language via the Antigravity platform. AI Overviews now reaches 2.5 billion monthly users, while AI Mode has crossed one billion. Information agents and mini-apps will launch this summer for paid AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, while generative UI will be free for all users. The shift raises concerns about declining referral traffic to publishers and increased regulatory scrutiny from the EU under the Digital Markets Act.
