Google AI Mode Evolves

What happened

Google's AI Mode introduced new agentic capabilities, enabling direct booking of event tickets and beauty appointments within Search, expanding upon previous restaurant reservation functionality. Users can now make complex, conversational requests for tasks like finding specific concert tickets with preferred seating, with the AI searching multiple websites, comparing prices, and presenting curated options with direct booking links. This feature is available to Search Labs users in the U.S., with higher usage limits for Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers, and involves partners including Ticketmaster, StubHub, SeatGeek, and Booksy.

Why it matters

The introduction of AI-driven direct booking within Search creates a new operational constraint by shifting transaction initiation and data handling to an external, automated agent. This increases exposure for procurement and compliance teams to third-party service agreements and data privacy implications, as the AI directly interacts with partner platforms for booking and payment. The reduced visibility into the automated negotiation and selection process raises due diligence requirements for validating transaction terms and ensuring adherence to internal purchasing policies. Platform operators face an accountability gap regarding the provenance and integrity of booking data.