In a move that extends the reach of artificial intelligence into everyday tasks, Google has announced new capabilities for its AI Mode feature. This tool, currently available through the Search Labs program, allows users to interact with Google’s search engine in more dynamic ways, asking complex questions and requesting actions rather than just retrieving information.
The latest update enables AI Mode to handle practical booking tasks like concert tickets and beauty appointments—a significant expansion from its original purpose. This development represents a meaningful step forward in artificial intelligence systems that can actively assist users rather than simply provide information.
What is AI Mode Anyway?
For those unfamiliar, AI Mode is an experimental feature within Google Search that allows for more conversational interactions. Instead of typing standard queries, users can engage in follow-up questions and requests that build upon each other. Think of it as having a more capable personal assistant within your search engine.
Previously, AI Mode could already handle restaurant reservations. Now, Google is taking this “agentic capability”—its term for AI that can take action on behalf of users—to new realms. These capabilities are currently available to users enrolled in Search Labs, with higher-tier subscribers (Google AI Pro and Ultra) receiving preferential treatment regarding usage limits.
Booking Tickets and Appointments
The new functionality allows users to request specific ticket types and appointment options directly from Google Search. For example, someone planning to attend a concert could ask:
“Find me 2 cheap tickets for the Shaboozey concert coming up. Prefer standing floor tickets.”
The AI Mode then searches multiple ticketing websites simultaneously to find real-time options matching these criteria. It presents curated price points and links directly to the purchase pages, streamlining what was previously a multi-step process requiring users to manually check several sites.
Similarly, users can now request beauty and wellness appointments. Imagine asking:
“Find me a dermatologist appointment within my insurance network for next month.”
The system would search across healthcare provider sites to find available slots matching these criteria.
This ticket booking capability isn’t entirely new to the tech world, but it demonstrates how large language models are evolving beyond simple information retrieval toward practical task execution.
Building on Previous Capabilities
This expansion continues a pattern Google established earlier this year with AI Mode. When it first introduced agentic capabilities, the feature could handle restaurant reservations:
“Find me a dinner reservation for 3 people this Friday after 6pm around Logan square. Craving ramen or bibimbap.”
The AI would then search reservation platforms to find matching options with real-time availability.
The company appears to be methodically expanding these capabilities, starting with dining reservations and adding event tickets and appointment scheduling. This incremental approach demonstrates how artificial intelligence systems are evolving from passive information providers to active assistants.
A Question of Quality and Safety
Google maintains a measured perspective on these capabilities. The company acknowledges the experimental nature of these features while emphasizing its commitment to quality:
“Our priority in Google Search is connecting you with high-quality information you can rely on. This new mode is rooted in our core quality and safety systems, but it’s still an early experiment and may make mistakes.”
This cautious stance reflects the broader industry approach to agentic AI—viewing it as an exciting frontier requiring careful implementation.
What Comes Next?
Google’s gradual rollout of these capabilities suggests more practical applications may follow. The path from restaurant reservations to event tickets points toward a future where digital assistants handle an increasing array of routine tasks.
These incremental advances represent more than just technical achievements—they hint at how we might interact with artificial intelligence in coming years. The question isn’t whether AI will help with these tasks, but rather how sophisticated these helpers will become
