Google AI “Search Live” Now in 7 Indian Languages for “Voice & Camera Queries”, Explore More
Google has announced a major update to its AI-powered Search Mode, adding support for seven additional Indian languages — Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Alongside, it unveiled “Search Live”, a new interactive mode that lets users search using both voice and camera simultaneously.
The move reflects Google’s deepening push into India’s vernacular internet, where regional-language users now represent more than 60% of total search traffic.
How “Search Live” Works
The new mode combines Google Lens and Gemini AI, allowing users to ask a question out loud or point their phone’s camera at an object to get contextual answers in their native language. For instance, a user can point to a fruit vendor’s stall and ask, “How many calories in this fruit?” — and get an instant response in Tamil or Marathi.
“We want to search to feel as natural as talking to someone who understands your world,” said a Google spokesperson during the launch event.
Bridging the Language Divide
India’s linguistic diversity has long challenged tech companies. Google’s latest update aims to eliminate that friction by building AI models that not only understand words but also context, tone, and local nuance.
According to Google, its multilingual Gemini AI model now supports 12 Indian languages across Search, Maps, and Assistant — its broadest rollout so far in a single country.
Reactions from the Tech Community
- Rajat Agrawal, TechArc Analyst: “This update could bring India’s next 200 million users online. Voice and camera search in local languages is the next natural step.”
- NASSCOM AI Council: “This marks a new phase in inclusive AI — language equity is finally at the center of tech innovation.”
- Ananya Menon, Computational Linguist: “Regional dialect accuracy remains a challenge, but the progress is impressive.”
What’s New in Numbers
- New Languages Added: 7 (Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu)
- Total Supported in India: 12 languages
- Core Engine: Gemini AI
- Availability: Rolling out to Android & iOS users this month
Timeline in Nutshall
Google’s push into regional AI didn’t happen overnight. It began with voice search in 2017, expanded through Lens and Maps integrations in 2021, and has now culminated in this multimodal, multilingual AI Search platform. Industry watchers note that “Search Live” blurs the line between a search engine and an AI assistant.
The Bigger Picture
By enhancing accessibility for millions of non-English users, Google is positioning itself as the de facto AI gateway for emerging markets. This expansion not only strengthens its foothold in India but also sets a model for countries like Indonesia, Brazil, and Nigeria, where language inclusivity is equally critical.
Industry Perspective
Tech observers point out that the timing of the launch is strategic, coinciding with rising competition from AI-driven tools like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and Perplexity AI. However, Google’s advantage lies in its integration with existing services and its strong mobile ecosystem reach.
Editor’s Insight
“AI’s real leap isn’t in speed — it’s in understanding. By speaking India’s languages, Google is not just updating a product, it’s democratizing access to knowledge.”
— Editorial Desk, Latest Trending News
