Google folds agents into search

Google on May 20 added agent-style features to Search as it unveiled broader AI updates at its I/O developer conference, tying its core search product more closely to the company’s latest Gemini models. The move came with Gemini 3.5, which Google described as a family of models built for “agentic” work and personalized task management. Axios reported that Google is bringing agents into search through persistent queries and automated monitoring, part of an effort to remake the business before AI chatbots erode its position in online search. Google said separately that AI Mode in Search is now using Gemini 3.5 Flash as its default model globally. ### What exactly did Google add to Search? Google said on May 20 that Search’s AI Mode would get what it called the biggest upgrade to the search box in more than 25 years, with AI built directly into the experience. (blog.google) The company said the update includes more powerful AI responses and agent capabilities tied to Gemini 3.5 Flash. Gemini 3.5 Flash is Google’s “strongest agentic and coding model yet,” according to the company’s product post, which said the model was designed for sustained tasks and tool use. (axios.com) CIO Dive reported that Google launched Gemini 3.5 at I/O as a model family focused on agentic work and personalized task management for enterprise users. ### Why is Google pushing agents into its main product now? (blog.google) Axios reported on May 20 that search remains Google’s main profit engine and faces pressure from AI chatbots, prompting the company to rework the product before rivals do it first. Sundar Pichai said in Google’s I/O keynote that the company had focused on “agentic coding, long-horizon tasks and real-world workflows” as it improved its newest models. (blog.google) Google’s own product posts framed the change as part of a broader push to make AI useful in everyday products rather than keep it inside standalone assistants. The company also said the Gemini app is becoming more proactive, with new agent features designed to help users complete tasks over time. ### Which other companies are moving on agent infrastructure? (axios.com) Anthropic acquired Stainless to strengthen developer tooling, SDK generation and MCP server connectivity for the Claude platform, according to Futurum Group. Futurum said the deal reflects a competitive shift toward enterprise deployment, connectivity and workflow integration. (blog.google) OpenAI has also been expanding enterprise tooling. OpenAI said on May 18 that it partnered with Dell Technologies to bring Codex into hybrid and on-premises enterprise environments, and on May 11 it announced the OpenAI Deployment Company to help businesses build around its systems. ### Why does Figma matter in this fight? Figma on May 21 launched a native AI design agent inside Figma Design, with expansion to other products planned, according to AI Insider. (futurumgroup.com) The report said Figma posted first-quarter 2026 revenue of $333.4 million, up 46% from a year earlier. The Figma move showed that application software companies are building task-specific agents inside their own products rather than relying only on general-purpose chatbots. (openai.com) AI Insider said the launch came as Figma faced competition from Canva, Adobe and newer AI-native design tools. ### Why is Singapore part of the story? (theaiinsider.tech) Singapore on May 20 announced separate AI partnerships with Google and OpenAI to expand AI deployment across public services, healthcare, education and enterprise, CNBC reported. The report said OpenAI committed $234 million to the local ecosystem as the city-state sought to strengthen its role as an AI hub. (theaiinsider.tech) OpenAI said its “OpenAI for Singapore” program includes a new Applied AI Lab in Singapore, which it described as its first such lab outside the United States. In a separate post, OpenAI said Singapore had joined its Education for Countries program. ### What happens next? Google said AI Mode’s Gemini 3.5 Flash upgrade is starting immediately for users globally, making Search the first place many consumers will encounter its newer agent features. (cnbc.com) OpenAI said its Singapore Applied AI Lab will serve as the center of its local program, while Figma said its new design agent is launching first in Figma Design before expanding further. (blog.google) (openai.com)