Google unveils AI agents for continuous search at I/O 2026

During the Google I/O 2026 event, the company unveiled advanced agentic features in Search, enabling users to develop, tailor, and oversee multiple AI agents that function continuously in the background. These agents, unlike conventional search methods, gather data from various sources, clarify their significance, contrast viewpoints, and deliver actionable insights. They mark an advancement from Google Alerts, which debuted in 2003, offering more than just basic notifications. Users can monitor stock market trends, flight fares, sports updates, breaking news, real estate trends, weather conditions, and more. To activate, users should select AI Mode in Search and input a request like 'Keep me updated on nearby movie tickets for The Mandalorian and Grogu.' Relevant updates will be sent via push notifications through the Google app, and active topics can be managed in AI Mode history. These information agents are set to launch this summer, initially for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S., followed by expansion to other regions. Additionally, Google revealed a significant redesign of Search featuring an 'intelligent search box' that accommodates longer, conversational queries along with an AI-driven query suggestion system.