Some Google Search users in the U.S. are beginning to notice a new feature quietly appearing: an AI Mode button, offering chatbot-style search results. Early sightings shared on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Threads show Google experimenting with where to place this button — and in some cases, it’s replacing the iconic “I’m Feeling Lucky” feature that’s been part of Google’s homepage since its inception.
For others, the AI Mode button appears directly in the search bar next to the “Search by image” icon. In all variations, a rotating rainbow border seems to be a design cue, drawing attention to the AI-powered assistant’s presence. In some tests, the border activates only when the cursor hovers over the button; in others, it’s always visible, signaling a potential visual identity for AI Mode going forward.
What Is Google AI Mode?
First announced on May 1st, AI Mode is part of Google’s broader push to integrate generative AI into core products, similar to what it has done with Search Generative Experience (SGE) and the Gemini assistant. AI Mode appears to be a lightweight interface for users to get conversational, synthesized answers to their queries without digging through traditional search result pages.
According to Google spokesperson Ashley Thompson, the feature is currently restricted to users in Google’s Labs experimental program, and its current form is just one of “many experiments” underway. There’s no guarantee that AI Mode will roll out widely — or replace existing features permanently — but its placement suggests Google is thinking seriously about how users engage with search.
Goodbye to ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’?
Perhaps the most controversial change is the potential replacement of “I’m Feeling Lucky”, a beloved feature that skips search results and takes users straight to the first link. While niche, the button has symbolic value as a hallmark of Google’s early, quirky user experience. Replacing it with a generative AI chatbot may signal a deeper philosophical shift — from surfacing information to synthesizing it for users.
This could indicate Google’s belief that AI-powered answers are now more useful than the first organic result. It also mirrors similar trends from competitors like Microsoft’s Copilot in Bing and Apple’s upcoming AI integrations in Safari and Siri.
While Google hasn’t confirmed that “I’m Feeling Lucky” is being permanently retired, its experimentation suggests the company sees AI Mode as a more efficient, modern pathway to information — even if it ruffles some nostalgic feathers.
As AI continues to redefine how we interact with the web, Google’s small-scale tests offer a preview of what search may soon look like: less clicking, more chatting — and a homepage that reflects a much smarter engine under the hood.
