Google sees Gen Z as main drivers of AI searches

MANILA, Philippines – Google finds Gen Z as the heaviest users of AI searches as explored in an online roundtable discussion on April 23.

Gen Z is a generation that has grown within the digital space. They have found themselves in the middle of an AI surge, where answers are provided within seconds and solutions within a tap of a finger.

Sapna Chadha, Vice President for Google Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier, discusses Gen Z’s want for more authenticity, quality, and convenience. With Gemini integrated into Google Search, Gen Z has found an AI partner to traverse their everyday experiences.

“In Southeast Asia—home to one of the world’s youngest, most AI-native populations—we are seeing this shift play out in real-time,” Chadha said. “For this generation, Search has become a constant companion. They are engaging more deeply, visually, and through voice than any group before them. Whether it’s for learning, exploring a personal passion or making a high-stakes purchase, they rely on Search to make decisions they can trust.”

In Google’s recent data, 89-percent of the Philippines Gen Z users use Google Search everyday. Meanwhile, Thailand has recorded 82-percent, and Indonesia at 89-percent as well.

Intelligent searches

Google Search’s AI mode, when enabled, allows its new Gemini 3.1 model to learn and collect data based on the user’s queries.

If a user has been searching about their favorite musician, their hobbies, or specific interests, the AI takes notes of these for more dedicated and accurate searches.

The new model creates a more conversational flow with users, turning Google Search into its own AI chatbot.

AI safety and security for vulnerable ages

As reported, Gen Z’s reliance and trust in AI for deep discussions and sensitive topics has increased, so the question loomed on Google’s measures for dangerous or harmful searches.

When asked about the security in place for these instances, Chadha assured that Gemini was programmed with empathy and to detect signs of potential danger. 

Google has worked with child development experts and doctors to ensure that AI can lead queries to proper experts. 

Google has also trained its model to prevent intimate connections between users and AI. “We want to make sure we’re not a substitute for connection,” assured Chadha.

Chadha also echoes the guidelines for Google that AI mode in Google Search remains optional.  Users have full control whether or not to enable AI mode to study their searches.

Read more on AI: AI ethics and the fake Mackenyu interview