Google has introduced a new feature known as AI Mode in Search, opening access on Thursday to users in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

The company said the tool is intended to handle complicated questions in ways traditional search engines could not, offering richer responses and new ways of discovering information.

The technology runs on a customised version of Google’s Gemini 2.5 model. Unlike the standard search experience, it allows people to ask exploratory questions that cover several aspects at once.

Instead of typing multiple queries, users can rely on the system to interpret the complexity and deliver a single, detailed response.

Speaking about the launch, Google Africa’s Managing Director Alex Okosi highlighted the company’s excitement about expanding the tool to the continent.  

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“We’re incredibly excited to bring AI Mode to our users in the region. We know that people in this region are curious and have complex questions about everything from planning a trip to understanding a new concept," Okosi stated.

"With AI Mode, we are reimagining the Search experience. Users will not only find the information they need more easily but will also be empowered to explore a wider range of content from across the web.”

One of the core innovations is the use of “query fan-out”, a method where a single request is broken into smaller parts before multiple searches are conducted in parallel.

This approach is aimed at surfacing more specific and relevant information than users might reach on their own.

The design also supports different ways of interacting.

People can type, speak, or upload an image to begin a search, with a microphone icon and photo upload option built directly into the platform. Google described this as making search “multimodal”, giving users more freedom in how they engage.

According to the company, AI Mode is built to highlight the open web rather than replace it.

Each AI-generated answer contains clear links to websites, enabling users to read further or verify details.

Data gathered from its existing AI Overviews feature suggests that this approach increases both the variety of sites visited and the amount of time people spend exploring them.

Where the system’s confidence is low, Google said it will continue to present standard web results.

The new feature will appear immediately as a tab within the results page and is also accessible through the Google app on Android and iOS devices.

By targeting three of Africa’s most connected nations, Google is anchoring its wider ambitions in markets where demand for faster, deeper online answers is rapidly growing.