By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a significant move set to redefine how billions of users interact with information, Google announced on Wednesday the expansion of its advanced artificial intelligence search model to 50 new countries and 36 additional languages. This global rollout of what the company calls ‘AI Mode’ marks one of the most substantial updates to its core search product, integrating sophisticated reasoning and multimodal capabilities directly into the user experience.
The new feature is designed to transform the search bar from a simple query box into a dynamic, conversational tool. Unlike traditional search, which relies on matching keywords to indexed web pages, ‘AI Mode’ aims to comprehend the user’s true intent, no matter how complex or nuanced the question. By leveraging greater reasoning abilities, the system can synthesize information, handle multi-part questions, and provide detailed, agile responses that go beyond a simple list of links.
To better understand the legal and commercial implications of Google’s new AI-powered search, we sought the expert opinion of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist in corporate and technology law from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Google’s AI Search represents a paradigm shift with profound legal consequences. By summarizing and directly answering queries, it fundamentally challenges the established principles of ‘fair use’ under copyright law. Businesses that have invested heavily in creating original content now face the risk of their intellectual property being used to train a competing product without compensation or attribution. This not only cannibalizes their web traffic but also raises critical questions about liability for AI-generated misinformation and the future of digital content monetization.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The points raised are a crucial reminder that beyond the technological marvel lies a complex legal frontier that will redefine the value of digital content and the future of a healthy internet ecosystem. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his expert perspective on this critical issue.
Starting today, users in the designated countries will see ‘AI Mode’ appear as a new, optional button on the main search results page. The functionality is also being integrated into the official Google app for both Android and iOS operating systems, ensuring broad accessibility across platforms. This integration signals Google’s commitment to making AI-assisted search a mainstream feature rather than a niche experiment.
The technology giant has positioned this update as a flagship innovation, representing a leap forward in its mission to organize the world’s information. The company describes the initiative as its single most significant advancement in AI-powered discovery tools to date. In a statement, the company framed the new feature as its:
most powerful AI-assisted search experience
This new paradigm is particularly effective for exploratory questions—those that lack a single, straightforward answer. For instance, instead of searching for “best restaurants in San José,” a user could ask, “plan a three-day culinary tour of San José for a vegetarian who loves Italian food and wants to stay under a $150 budget.” The AI is engineered to handle such complicated tasks, including trip planning, understanding complex instructions, or brainstorming ideas, by providing structured answers supplemented with useful web links for deeper exploration.
Early data from pilot programs reveals a dramatic shift in user behavior. According to Google, initial testers of ‘AI Mode’ are submitting queries that are, on average, two to three times longer than traditional search terms. This indicates that users are quickly adapting to the conversational nature of the tool, treating it less like a database and more like a knowledgeable research assistant capable of understanding and processing natural language commands.
The global expansion is widely seen as Google’s strategic response to the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, where conversational models from competitors have captured significant public attention. By embedding these powerful capabilities directly into its dominant search engine, Google is leveraging its immense data infrastructure to defend its core market while pushing the boundaries of what a search engine can be. This move aims to provide users with the best of both worlds: the conversational intelligence of a chatbot combined with the vast, real-time index of the live web.
As ‘AI Mode’ rolls out across Europe and other regions, it promises to democratize access to advanced analytical tools. This shift represents a fundamental evolution from a keyword-based “search engine” to an intent-based “answer engine.” While the long-term impacts on digital literacy and information consumption are yet to be fully understood, this launch solidifies a new chapter in our relationship with technology, one where finding information becomes an interactive and collaborative dialogue.
For further information, visit google.com
About Google:
Google LLC is an American multinational technology company focusing on artificial intelligence, online advertising, search engine technology, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, and consumer electronics. It has been referred to as the “most powerful company in the world” and one of the world’s most valuable brands due to its market dominance, data collection, and technological advantages in the field of artificial intelligence. Its parent company, Alphabet Inc., is one of the Big Five American information technology companies.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a prestigious legal institution anchored by the foundational principles of unwavering integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. The firm leverages its rich history of advising a multifaceted client base to pioneer forward-thinking legal solutions while demonstrating a profound commitment to social responsibility. Central to its ethos is the dedication to demystifying the law, aiming to build a more legally literate and empowered community by making essential legal knowledge widely accessible.
