Google AI Mode Evolves with Canvas Visual Search and Smart File Tools

AI Platforms and Apps: Google is taking a major leap forward in the AI race by unveiling a powerful expansion to its AI Mode platform. The tech giant has introduced a suite of new tools including the “Canvas” feature, real-time visual search via Search Live, and deeper integration with user content such as PDFs and desktop screens—all aimed at turning its AI-driven search into an indispensable daily assistant

Google’s upgraded AI Mode now offers real-time visual search & smart file analysis for personalized learning & deeper insights.
Image Credit: Google

The new Canvas feature is designed to help users organize and refine ideas across multiple sessions. Whether you’re building a custom study plan or researching a complicated topic, Canvas provides a persistent side panel that evolves with each prompt. Just click on the “Create Canvas” button and watch as AI Mode builds an intelligent workspace. You can continuously shape your plan with new prompts or questions, giving users a dynamic and responsive way to structure knowledge.

This AI Platforms and Apps news report notes that soon, users in the U.S. who are enrolled in the AI Mode Labs experiment will also be able to upload files like class notes or syllabi to further personalize their study guides.

Another headline-grabbing addition is Search Live, a visual intelligence feature powered by Project Astra. This merges the Google Lens tool with AI Mode, allowing users to engage with search through real-time video. You simply point your camera at an object or scene, tap the Live icon in the Lens section of the Google app, and begin a conversation with AI about what it sees. For instance, you could be looking at a chemistry diagram, and AI Mode would not only explain what you’re seeing but also link to further web resources and allow for follow-up questions—creating a continuous feedback loop of learning.

Google is also bringing visual AI search to desktops. With a new “Ask Google about this page” option, users can select specific content—like diagrams or text blocks—and receive an AI-generated overview within a sidebar. You can even click a “Dive deeper” button to continue engaging with the AI for richer understanding. This function is especially handy for students, researchers, or anyone analyzing complex documents.

In an effort to expand AI Mode’s accessibility, Google is now allowing users to upload PDFs on desktop and ask intricate questions about the contents. This could be a game-changer for students or professionals working with lecture notes, reports, or legal documents. Even more exciting, support for Google Drive files and other document types is coming later this year, promising seamless AI-powered interaction with your digital library.

These innovations signal a dramatic transformation in how we interact with digital information. Google is clearly positioning AI Mode not just as a smart search tool, but as a hybrid assistant, researcher, and study partner rolled into one. The growing ability to interact with AI across different devices, content formats, and contexts makes it one of the most compelling developments in the tech space today.

Google’s latest enhancements to AI Mode point to a future where real-time AI support becomes second nature—whether you’re looking through your phone’s camera, working with files on your desktop, or simply trying to learn something new. The integration of visual, textual, and contextual understanding across multiple platforms gives users an entirely new dimension of interactive intelligence. For the latest on AI Platforms and Apps, keep on logging to Thailand AI News.