Daily Technology
·23/01/2026
Google’s introduction of Personal Intelligence to its search AI Mode marks a significant shift towards more deeply personalized search results. By providing AI Mode access to user data from Gmail and Google Photos, the AI can automatically tailor responses without requiring manual preference adjustments. This enables the search engine to curate results such as travel itineraries based on actual trip bookings found in emails, or suggest dining spots by analyzing food photos taken by the user. This innovation streamlines the user experience, making online interactions more relevant and context-aware.
Real-world use cases include AI Mode generating personalized travel plans by referencing details from users’ past email confirmations and photographs. For instance, if a user’s Gmail contains a hotel booking and their Photos library is filled with images from previous trips, Google’s AI can build customized itineraries. Additionally, the system can enhance shopping experiences by prioritizing brands or products based on past purchase evidence from emails. This direct application of AI-driven recommendations is already being made available to eligible Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US, demonstrating an immediate, tangible value for consumers.
The latest rollout places strong emphasis on user feedback, allowing individuals to directly influence the relevance of recommendations. If the AI provides unsuitable suggestions, users can promptly correct these by giving follow-up responses or marking them with a “thumbs down.” This interactive loop not only helps Google refine the AI’s performance but also builds user trust. Continuous feedback integration ensures that recommendations evolve accurately alongside users’ changing habits, as observed with Gemini AI’s utilization of search and YouTube history for further personalization.
Google’s system is designed with privacy as a core consideration. It employs the Gemini 3 model, ensuring that personal content from Gmail and Photos is not used to train the overarching AI model. Only limited data—such as specific prompts and direct AI responses—are used for gradual improvements. This approach addresses common privacy concerns while still delivering meaningful personalization, as highlighted in the company’s official announcements and user trials.
This feature is currently being rolled out to select subscribers as part of Google Labs, signaling the beginning of broader market integration. The model showcases a paradigm shift towards AI-as-a-personal-assistant, setting a precedent for industry competitors. As this technology matures, it is poised to influence user expectations for smart search and personalized recommendations across not just Google’s ecosystem, but potentially all consumer-facing AI-driven platforms.









