Google’s AI Mode (Project Mariner) just got an upgrade: it can make restaurant reservations using natural language and will soon handle ticket purchases. The new capability, quietly rolled out to 180 countries, turns search into a true concierge.
Will Your Next Dinner Date Be Booked by an AI?
A late‑night craving for sushi used to mean a frantic search through apps. Now, Google wants its AI to do it all for you. In the last 12 hours, the company expanded its AI Mode—a generative search assistant under Project Mariner—to let users find and book restaurant tables directly from search results, with ticket purchasing on the way. Posts on TikTok showing AI Mode making dinner plans have amassed tens of thousands of views, while #AIAssistant trends on X.
What Can AI Mode Do Now?
Make reservations – Users can ask, “Find me a Japanese restaurant near me for tonight at 8 pm,” and AI Mode will fetch options and complete the reservation through integrated services.
Filter by preferences – AI Mode can narrow choices based on cuisine, location, price range, dietary needs and ambience.
Future ticket booking – Google says the feature will soon allow purchasing event tickets and making appointments, suggesting deeper integration with third‑party sites.
Global rollout – The upgrade is part of Google’s rollout of AI Mode to 180 countries, enabling generative search enhancements beyond the U.S.
Why It’s a Big Deal
It’s part of Google’s vision of search as a personal assistant that can plan trips, manage bookings and even shop for you. The company has been making bold moves across sectors—most recently with its Gemini for Government plan, which offers U.S. federal workers access to Gemini’s AI tools for just $0.50 a year.
The ability to make reservations has immediate implications for hospitality workers and businesses. Restaurants connected to Google’s APIs may see more bookings without phone calls, while establishments outside the system could lose visibility. Consumers may enjoy convenience but risk becoming dependent on a single platform that intermediates all their choices.
Potential Risks and Questions
Trust – How much control are users giving to an algorithm? Errors or biases in recommendations could steer consumers away from diverse options.
Monopoly concerns – By embedding transactions into search, Google may strengthen its gatekeeping power over small businesses. Regulators could scrutinize this expansion.
Privacy – Booking a table or purchasing tickets involves sharing personal data and payment details. It’s unclear how Google will handle this information.
What’s Next?
Ticket booking is just the beginning. Sources hint that AI Mode will soon support scheduling appointments with doctors, salons and repair services. Eventually, generative search could handle complex planning tasks like “organize my vacation itinerary and book flights under $500.” Competitors, including OpenAI and startups like Perplexity, are racing to offer similar capabilities.
FAQs
Q1: How do I use Google’s AI Mode to make a reservation?
A: Open Google Search on mobile and tap the AI Mode toggle. Ask for a restaurant with your desired date, time and cuisine. The AI will show options and complete the booking through partner services.
Q2: When will AI Mode buy tickets?
A: Google hasn’t given a firm date, but the company confirmed that ticket purchasing and appointment booking are “coming soon”.
Q3: Does AI Mode work everywhere?
A: The feature is rolling out to 180 countries, although partner coverage may vary by region.
Q4: Can I disable AI Mode?
A: Yes. Users can toggle AI Mode off in Search settings if they prefer traditional search results.
Q5: What happens if the AI books the wrong thing?
A: Users can review and confirm the booking before finalizing. However, mistakes could occur if data sources are outdated or if third‑party integrations fail.
