Google Search adds AI tools to help users plan offline activities

Google's blog post announces five capabilities within AI Mode—the AI-powered search tool—designed to help users plan and execute offline activities in response to rising user interest in disconnecting. The post notes that searches for "adult tennis lessons," "trail running," "hiking," and "run club" have reached new highs, while queries for "how to digital detox" have grown 110% since the start of the year, and searches for "how to meet people my age near me" are also climbing. The five featured tools work as follows: First, users can ask AI Mode to find beginner classes and lessons in their area using natural language queries like "How can I get started playing tennis? Are there beginner clinics or lessons nearby that I could easily join?" If the user has connected Google Calendar via Personal Intelligence, AI Mode will filter suggestions to match their existing schedule. Second, users can shop for gear directly in AI Mode by asking questions like "Can you help me find some affordable hiking boots with good ankle support?" and can add "nearby" or "near me" to the query; Google will then check local store inventory and even call nearby stores to confirm product availability. Third, users can employ Canvas (an AI Mode feature) to build strategy guides—for instance, creating a chess guide with easy-to-remember moves to use when playing friends, or building a game simulation to practice chess against a computer. Fourth, users can ask AI Mode to find and book tickets for nearby live events like concerts and sports, specifying their budget and number of tickets; AI Mode curates options that users can then finalize at their preferred booking platform. Fifth, users can design invitation materials by connecting apps like Canva to Search; they can type a prompt like "Create a flyer in Canva for the party I'm hosting in two weeks. Make it modern minimalistic style," and Canva will generate a custom design within the search results that users can further edit in Canva or download directly. The post frames these tools as addressing users' explicit intent to "get offline, experience the real world, and 'touch grass,'" positioning Google Search as an assistant for planning that transition.

Google's announcement reflects a clear shift in user behavior toward offline engagement. The company cites data showing increased searches for activities like "adult tennis lessons" and "trail running," as well as a 110% year-to-date surge in "how to digital detox" queries, signaling that users are actively seeking ways to disconnect. By embedding these planning tools directly into AI Mode—Google's conversational search interface—the company is positioning itself as the first stop for organizing real-world activities, not just finding information. The integration of Personal Intelligence (which securely connects Google apps like Calendar) and local services (store inventory checks, outbound calls to nearby retailers) extends beyond traditional search into what amounts to a personal assistant for offline life. This strategy also ties together multiple Google products and partner integrations (Canva for design, the Calendar ecosystem, and retail partnerships), reinforcing Google's broader ecosystem play while capturing the intent of users who want to transition from digital planning to physical experience.

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