Google: AI Mode in Chrome brings side-by-side pages with AI assistant and multi-source search

Google launched significant upgrades to AI Mode functionality in the Chrome browser on April 16, 2026. The new capabilities transform Chrome from a passive browser into an active AI collaborator that works alongside users while they browse the web.

What does the new AI Mode bring?

The most significant innovation is the side-by-side view — web pages open alongside the AI assistant, allowing users to simultaneously read the original content and ask the AI questions about it. This eliminates the need to switch between tabs or copy text into an external AI tool.

Multi-source search is the second key capability: users can combine content from open tabs, images and PDFs into one AI search. For example, a user can open three different sources on the same topic and ask the AI for a comparative analysis of all three.

How are the new tools accessed?

Google has added a plus menu to the Chrome search box that provides quick access to recent tabs and AI tools. From the same menu, Canvas is available — a writing and coding tool that was previously limited to Google AI Studio. It is now integrated directly into the browser, making it available in the context of any web page.

Image generation (image creation) is also available through the plus menu, enabling the creation of visual content without leaving the browser.

What does this mean for the future of web browsers?

Google AI Mode in Chrome signals a trend toward AI-native browsers — browsers where the AI assistant is a first-class experience rather than an add-on. Given Chrome’s market share of over 65%, this integration may define user expectations for all web browsers.

The functionality is available in the US from April 16, 2026, with planned global expansion. For users outside the US, access depends on Google’s gradual rollout expected in the coming weeks.