Google adds AI study tools to Search and Gemini with 3D simulations

Google on Wednesday introduced a broad set of AI study tools across Search and Gemini, aiming to position the Gemini assistant as the go-to learning companion for students. On Search, users can now generate custom interactive visuals directly inside AI Overviews—for example, searching "pH scale" produces an interactive diagram, and follow-up prompts like "plot citrus fruits on the pH scale" trigger a tailored visualization. Customized practice quizzes are also available for any subject, from SAT vocabulary to science and foreign languages. In the coming weeks, Google Lens will roll out an interactive learning mode that lets students photograph homework problems and receive AI-driven explanations, mistake identification, and step-by-step guidance. Additionally, Search can now create one-page study documents from uploaded PDFs, slides, or handwritten notes, synthesizing key concepts into a single study sheet.

On the Gemini side, Google is launching several significant upgrades. Students can initiate multi-step research reports in Gemini Live, which run in the background and send a notification when done—then they can discuss findings conversationally via voice. Gemini can also generate functional 3D simulations, such as a rotating, zoomable DNA structure, directly from prompts. Finally, a dedicated study hub in the Gemini app consolidates tools like study notebooks, flashcards, and practice quizzes in one place. These features position Google squarely against OpenAI's ChatGPT and education-focused startups like Knowt and Gauth, both of which offer similar learning and practice capabilities. The rollout begins this week, with some features like Lens and research reports arriving in the coming weeks.