AI mode isn't for queries, it's for questions. You ask it direct, specific things like 'how do I do <x> in <y>' and it provides a fast answer.
replyPeople have many more questions in their life than they do queries.
The fact that users are using more search queries means they can't find what they want with a lesser number of queries. It seems that Google's PR team doesn't have an incentive to understand that, or thinks that everyone else is stupid.
replyMy guess is that they are spinning it as "users enjoy talking to the AI instead of searching, so they do it more"
replyRather than "users don't find what they want with the AI as easily so they have to spend longer with it"