Google Expands AI Mode Features with Image and PDF Support
Google is rolling out new updates to its AI Mode on desktop, enhancing its capabilities to process images and PDFs. Starting this week, users can ask detailed questions about uploaded images, similar to the existing mobile functionality. In the coming weeks, desktop users will also gain the ability to upload PDFs, making it easier to summarize lengthy documents or extract key information. AI Mode will cross-reference uploaded materials with web data to provide accurate responses, complete with reference links for deeper exploration. Support for additional file types, including Google Drive documents, is expected in the coming months.
Beyond file uploads, Google is introducing a new Canvas feature for users enrolled in the AI Mode Labs experiment in the US. Canvas acts as a dynamic side panel where users can consolidate information on a specific topic. For example, travelers can generate an itinerary and refine it through follow-up questions, with the panel updating in real time. The feature allows users to save their progress and return later for further adjustments.
AI Mode’s Search Live is also receiving an upgrade. Following the June addition of voice input, mobile users can now utilize video input by accessing Google Lens and tapping the Live icon. This feature, announced at I/O 2025, enables real-time queries about what the camera sees. For instance, pointing the camera at a math problem can prompt AI Mode to provide solutions or explanations.
Additionally, Chrome users will soon see an Ask Google about this page option in the address bar. Clicking it will generate an overview of the current screen content, whether it’s a webpage or PDF, summarizing key details.
Update: Google clarified that image and PDF uploads will be available in all regions where AI Mode is supported, including the US, India, and the UK.
