Google announced new features for the AI Mode in Search this Thursday (16th), integrating it with Canva, YouTube Music, and Instacart. These additions expand the use of artificial intelligence to facilitate users' daily tasks.
Google announced new features for the AI Mode in Search this Thursday (16th), integrating it with Canva, YouTube Music, and Instacart. These additions expand the use of artificial intelligence to facilitate users' daily tasks.
The implementation of these improvements began in the United States during July. The corporation's intention is to make AI features closer to usual activities, allowing users to trigger tools from other applications directly through the search interface, eliminating the need to open each service individually.
With these new connections, AI Mode now assists in creating playlists, developing visual content, and organizing purchases, all based on commands provided in natural language within Google Search itself.
The partnership with YouTube Music allows users to request customized playlists based on criteria such as musical style or desired mood. After processing the request, the system suggests a playlist that can be viewed in the music platform's application.
Regarding Canva, the AI tool offers support in creating visual templates, such as materials for events. Google clarified that this technology has the capacity to use the user's calendar data, when available, to adapt the templates to the specific context of the event.
Additionally, the link with Instacart allows orders placed via AI Mode to be converted into shopping lists within the application. This functionality can also take into account scheduled commitments in the calendar, such as meetings or events, to suggest items relevant to the occasion.
This expansion is part of Google's Personal Intelligence initiative, a feature that enables Gemini to use information from various applications to enrich its responses. The company began increasing this capability throughout 2026.
In addition to these integrations, AI Mode received more sophisticated search features. Among them is a smart search box designed to adapt to more elaborate queries and accept multiple input formats, including videos, images, files, and Chrome browser tabs.
The company also expressed its intention to increase the number of partners connected to the system in the future, maintaining a strategic focus on converting artificial intelligence into a cohesive tool across various spheres of digital routine.
Discussions about privacy in artificial intelligence have intensified after Google and Meta demonstrated how user data can be used to improve AI models. The issue now extends beyond simple search queries; AI development companies are showing growing interest in data users generate while interacting with their services, including chats, photos, voice recordings, documents, and search activity.
Google began rolling out new Search Services History settings on May 26, separating the management of search activity from older Internet & App Activity settings. Under this new system, images, audio recordings, videos, and files used in services such as Search, Maps, Translate, News, and Lens may be stored and potentially used to improve AI systems unless the user disables the relevant option. Google stated that this rollout process will continue over the next few months.
In the first week of July 2026, Meta's AI tools drew attention. The company expanded its features by including Muse Image, which can create AI-generated images using suitable public photos from Instagram, if users do not opt out.
Google defends these changes, asserting that they provide users with 'more control' over personalization and search history settings. The company emphasized that users can completely deactivate Search Services History or choose whether to save images, files, and audio recordings. In an official support document, Google stated: 'We take your privacy seriously and are taking steps to protect it when using your Search Services History data to train our AI models.'
Meta, meanwhile, claims that its AI features are designed to assist users in creating and editing images, and that people can manage the relevant AI settings through the privacy controls available on its platforms. Meta reported: 'At any time you can turn off or allow reuse for Reels, feed videos, and photos across your entire account.'
The broader issue affects more than just Google and Meta. OpenAI's ChatGPT allows many consumer account dialogues to be used to improve the model if users do not disable the relevant training settings. Microsoft Copilot collects prompts, documents, and usage data to improve services, although commercial clients receive stronger protection. Furthermore, Anthropic's Claude and xAI's Grok can also use some consumer interactions and uploads to improve models, depending on their privacy settings and opt-out capabilities.
Payment for a service does not always guarantee that data will not be used. Consumer subscriptions primarily offer additional features and higher usage limits. The strictest limitations are usually provided in enterprise, educational, and commercial plans, where providers assume contractual obligations not to train models on client data.
Privacy experts advise users concerned about AI training to check their settings rather than relying on default parameters. For Google services, this means checking Search Services History, Web & App Activity, and auto-delete settings. ChatGPT users can disable 'Chat History & Training' if they do not want their conversations to be used to improve the model. Meta users should check Instagram and Meta AI privacy settings and opt out of AI features that use public photos where possible. Claude users can review data controls in settings and opt out of model improvement if offered, and Grok users should review privacy settings on X and avoid sharing sensitive personal information.
