Google is revolutionizing the way users interact with videos through the power of generative AI. On Thursday, the tech giant announced that it is testing an AI-powered video search feature in India, which leverages its cutting-edge Gemini AI model. This new capability allows users to take a video using Google Lens and directly ask questions about its content. The move aims to make video searches more intuitive and efficient for users, especially in a market where visual and voice-based search is rapidly gaining traction.
How It Works: Gemini-Powered Video Search
The experimental feature is part of Google’s broader initiative to enhance search experiences with generative AI. By using Google Lens, users can interact with video content in a way never before possible. Imagine watching a tutorial, a product demo, or even a travel vlog and being able to ask specific questions like, “What type of camera was used here?” or “What’s the recipe for this dish?”—and receiving accurate answers from the AI.
To access this feature, users must sign up for the “AI Overviews and More” experiment through Google Search Labs. Although Google hasn’t clarified the specific length of videos required for optimal results, it’s expected that this will evolve as more users participate in the experiment.
Why India? The Largest Market for Google Lens
India, with its vast and diverse user base, has become the ideal testing ground for this innovation. As the largest user base for Google Lens globally, Indians are well-versed in using visual tools for daily tasks. Google has recognized that in a country where many are more comfortable with visual and voice communication than typing, this new video search feature has the potential to change the way people access information.
In fact, more than 40% of Indian users prefer to converse with Gemini through voice rather than text. This trend shows a cultural shift towards more natural, conversational modes of interaction with AI, and Google’s latest video search experiment is in line with this growing demand for multimodal search solutions.
Mobile-First, English-Language Search
For now, the video search feature is available exclusively to mobile users and supports queries in English. However, this is just the beginning. As the program evolves, we can expect additional language support, especially in a linguistically rich country like India.
Google’s Commitment to Local Languages and Multimodal Search
Google is not just focused on video search but is also working to enhance its AI tools to support more Indian languages. The company has already introduced free-flowing conversational capabilities in Hindi with Gemini Live and plans to add support for Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, and Urdu in the near future.
This development builds on Google’s earlier efforts to bring multimodal search to India. In 2021, the company introduced the ability to search by combining photos and text, a feature designed to make it easier for users to find what they’re looking for without needing to perfectly describe an object. This was followed by the launch of multimodal search in 2022, further cementing India as a critical market for Google’s AI innovations.
The Future of AI-Driven Search in India
As Google continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with AI, India stands at the forefront of this innovation wave. With multimodal search powered by Gemini, users will soon be able to search not just through text or photos but also through video and voice in increasingly natural ways.
This experiment could pave the way for a future where interacting with videos becomes as seamless as texting a question. For a country where digital consumption is rising and the preference for mobile-first experiences is dominant, Google’s AI-powered video search has the potential to redefine the way Indians find and consume information.
In summary, Google’s decision to test its Gemini-powered video search in India reflects both the technological advancements in AI and the evolving needs of its user base. With multimodal search becoming more common and the addition of local language support on the horizon, India is poised to benefit from a new era of AI-driven discovery.
