Comparing Google AI Mode and Microsoft Copilot with other search engines.

Google and Microsoft launch AI search tools.

This week, Google and Microsoft simultaneously introduced two AI-powered search engines aimed at changing how users access information on the internet.

Google is rolling out AI Mode in the UK after launching it in the US and India. This feature combines the Gemini 2.5 model with the search engine, allowing users to ask questions via text, images, or voice. Users can compare products, plan trips, or ask complex questions.

Microsoft also introduced Copilot Mode on the Bing search bar, using an AI model capable of "reading, synthesizing, and analyzing information from the web" to provide concise, direct answers.

The interface is like a chatbot, but it can't handle tasks yet.

When asked to suggest electric bikes, create a 7-day diet plan, compile AI engineering jobs in London, and analyze opinions on measles vaccines, both tools functioned like chatbots, responding with conversational responses and specific suggestions.

However, both Google AI and Copilot make assumptions about the user, such as prior cooking experience or athletic training, without verifying their actual needs.

When asked to schedule dinner appointments, medical appointments, or upload resumes to a recruitment portal, Copilot stated that it couldn't do it yet but was developing the feature.

Microsoft Copilot has a "context clues" feature that uses information from open tabs to tailor responses.

For example, when no tabs are open, Copilot suggests jobs from the BeBee platform. But when the user opens sites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or Indeed, the tool only shows job opportunities from those platforms.

Test your ability to handle sensitive information.

Both platforms were tested on the controversial topic of "measles vaccine," which contains a lot of misinformation online.

As a result, both Copilot and Google AI began by asserting the vaccine's effectiveness, while also noting some "outside" considerations such as the duration of immunity or rare side effects.

When tabs containing misinformation are open, Copilot offers further skeptical viewpoints but with a warning to read carefully to avoid amplifying the misinformation.

Google AI also maintains a science-based perspective but simultaneously presents some dissenting opinions, with the note: "This is a common view in the community, although it contradicts the scientific consensus."

The sources cited are primarily from the WHO, the US CDC, and peer-reviewed medical journals. However, Google and Microsoft have not yet answered the question of how to define a “high-quality” source.

The next generation of search engines, but they haven't replaced humans yet.

Although both methods handle information better than traditional search, they still lack task processing capabilities, such as scheduling, payment processing, or deep interaction with third-party platforms.

While Microsoft once showcased a Copilot video demonstrating how to rent paddleboards, real-world experience shows that this function is still not working. Google AI also cannot yet add items to a shopping cart after creating a diet plan.

However, future updates are promised to improve this issue, aiming to transform the search engine into a true personal assistant.

Google and Microsoft are ushering in an era of AI-powered search, where users can interact using voice, images, and text, and receive multi-dimensional feedback.

While not yet able to replace complex tasks, AI Search offers a new, conversational, personalized experience with the ability to synthesize information quickly. However, it also raises new concerns about information control, sources, and accuracy.