How to use Google’s new AI agents to go beyond your standard searches

2026-05-19 · Source: TechCrunch · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

At the Google I/O 2026 keynote, Google unveiled new agentic capabilities within Search, allowing users to create, customize, and manage multiple AI agents for continuous topic monitoring. These information agents operate 24/7 in the background, synthesizing information from various sources, explaining relevance, comparing perspectives, and offering actionable insights, evolving beyond the 2003 Google Alerts service. Specific use cases include tracking stock market activity, monitoring flight prices, following sports teams, and keeping tabs on housing or job market trends. Users can activate agents via AI Mode in Search with a prompt like "Keep me updated on nearby movie tickets for 'The Mandalorian and Grogu,'" receiving push notifications for relevant updates. This feature will roll out this summer, initially for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S. Google also introduced a significant redesign of Search, featuring an "intelligent search box" for longer, conversational queries and an AI-powered query suggestion system.

Key takeaway

For Product Managers evaluating new user engagement strategies, Google's agentic AI in Search signals a shift from reactive search to proactive, continuous information delivery. Your product roadmap should explore how to integrate similar persistent, personalized information agents to keep users informed without constant prompting. Consider how this model could reduce user friction and increase long-term engagement by anticipating user needs.

Key insights

Google's new AI agents provide continuous, proactive information synthesis beyond traditional search queries.

Principles

• Agentic AI systems take initiative.
• Continuous monitoring enhances user awareness.

Method

Users open AI Mode in Search, enter a prompt to define an agent's focus, and receive push notifications for relevant updates, managing agents in their AI Mode history.

In practice

• Monitor stock market trends automatically.
• Track flight prices for upcoming trips.
• Follow specific sports teams or events.

Topics

• Google AI Agents
• Google Search Redesign
• Agentic AI Systems
• Information Monitoring
• AI Mode

Best for: Product Manager, Entrepreneur, Tech Journalist, AI Product Manager, General Interest

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by TechCrunch.