Gayathri Kallukaran is a Junior Journalist with Eastern Eye. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Paul’s College, Bengaluru, and brings over five years of experience in content creation, including two years in digital journalism. She covers stories across culture, lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, with a creative yet fact-driven approach to reporting. Known for her sensitivity towards human interest narratives, Gayathri’s storytelling often aims to inform, inspire, and empower. Her journey began as a layout designer and reporter for her college’s daily newsletter, where she also contributed short films and editorial features. Since then, she has worked with platforms like FWD Media, Pepper Content, and Petrons.com, where several of her interviews and features have gained spotlight recognition. Fluent in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, she writes in English and Malayalam, continuing to explore inclusive, people-focused storytelling in the digital space.
Google adds Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Search to AI Mode
New features available to Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers
AI-powered phone calls now available via Project Astra for business enquiries
Changes reflect Google's continued shift towards AI-led search experiences
Google rolls out Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Search in AI Mode
Google is expanding its AI-powered Search capabilities by rolling out Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Search within its dedicated AI Mode interface. The features are launching today for Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers, further advancing the company's efforts to position AI Mode as the main way users interact with Google Search.
Both tools were initially previewed during the Google I/O 2025 conference and are now being fully integrated into the search chatbot.
What is Deep Search?
Deep Search is designed to offer more nuanced and thorough search results by analysing intent beyond standard keyword matching. When paired with Gemini 2.5 Pro, it enables more context-aware responses and layered reasoning—potentially replacing conventional browsing for complex queries.
These features were previously accessible through other interfaces, but their inclusion in AI Mode marks a strategic shift toward an AI-first search experience.
AI-powered phone calls go live
Alongside search enhancements, Google is also beginning to roll out AI-driven phone calls using its Project Astra framework. This feature, teased earlier this year, allows the Gemini assistant to make calls to local businesses to check for availability and pricing.
When a user searches for a business or service, they may see an option such as “Have AI check prices”, which will prompt the system to call the business on the user’s behalf. While available to all users, those on AI Pro and AI Ultra plans will benefit from higher usage limits.
A broader shift to AI-first search
These updates continue Google’s broader move to embed AI more deeply into Search, following the general rollout of AI Mode in May 2025. The ultimate goal appears to be transitioning users away from traditional search results and toward an interactive, AI-powered interface.
As these tools expand and improve, Google is positioning its Gemini assistant not only as a source of information but as an agentic tool—capable of acting on users’ behalf in both digital and real-world contexts.
Users can now restrict AI-generated visuals across select categories.
Pinterest will make “AI-modified” content labels more visible.
The update aims to restore trust amid growing user backlash.
Pinterest responds to complaints over AI-generated ‘slop’
Pinterest has rolled out new controls allowing users to reduce the amount of AI-generated content in their feeds, following widespread criticism over an influx of synthetic images across the platform.
The company confirmed on Thursday that users can now personalise their experience by limiting generative imagery within specific categories such as beauty, art, fashion, and home décor. The move comes as many long-time users voiced frustration that their feeds were increasingly dominated by low-quality AI visuals, often referred to online as “AI slop.”
Pinterest, which serves as a hub for creative inspiration and shopping ideas, has faced growing scrutiny from both users and media outlets questioning whether its algorithmic changes have diluted the quality and authenticity of its content.
New personalisation settings and clearer labels
The new controls can be found under the “Refine your recommendations” section in the app’s Settings menu. Users will be able to opt for reduced exposure to AI-generated posts in certain categories, with more options expected to be added later based on feedback.
In addition, Pinterest said it will make its existing “AI-modified” labels more prominent. These labels appear on posts identified through image metadata or Pinterest’s detection systems as being partially or fully AI-generated.
The platform is also encouraging user feedback. When users encounter Pins they find less appealing due to synthetic imagery, they can use the three-dot menu to flag them and adjust their preferences accordingly.
The update has started rolling out across Pinterest’s website and Android app, with iOS support to follow in the coming weeks.
Balancing creativity with user trust
Matt Madrigal, Pinterest’s Chief Technology Officer, said the company’s focus remains on maintaining an authentic, inspiring experience for its community.
“With our new GenAI controls, we’re empowering people to personalise their Pinterest experience more than ever, striking the right balance between human creativity and innovation,” Madrigal said.
Pinterest’s move comes as research cited by the company suggests that AI-generated visuals now account for more than half of all online content. By giving users direct control over how much of that material they see, Pinterest hopes to preserve its reputation as a platform driven by genuine creativity rather than automated output.
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