AI Mode in Google Search: How to Enable It and What It Means for UX in 2026

Google’s new AI Mode turns Search into a full screen conversational research experience instead of a list of links. Enabling it only takes a few steps, yet the shift it creates in user behaviour is far more significant. AI Mode changes how people explore information, compare options, and move from intent to action, and it introduces new UX patterns that will influence product design across every sector. This article explains how to enable AI Mode on desktop and mobile and explores what the new interface reveals about the future of search, decision making, and AI first user journeys.