AI Takes Center Stage at Google I/O

Written By Katie Michael

Gemini 2.5 Pro & Flash: Advancing AI Capabilities

At Google I/O 2025, the company unveiled significant enhancements to its Gemini AI models. Gemini 2.5 Pro now leads in performance, introducing "Deep Think" for advanced reasoning and "Thinking Budgets" to manage computational resources. Additionally, Gemini 2.5 Flash offers faster response times and native audio output with multi-speaker support. These updates aim to provide more efficient and nuanced AI interactions across Google's platforms.

AI Mode: Transforming Google Search

Google introduced "AI Mode" for its Search platform, offering a more conversational and interactive experience. Features like "Deep Search" and "Search Live" enable users to receive detailed answers and real-time information by pointing their phone cameras at objects. This overhaul aims to make search more intuitive and responsive to user needs.

Project Astra: The Future of AI Assistants

Project Astra represents Google's vision for a universal AI assistant. Built on the Gemini platform, Astra is designed to perform complex tasks, adapt to user preferences, and integrate seamlessly across devices. This initiative underscores Google's commitment to creating more personalized and proactive AI experiences.

Veo 3 and Flow: AI-Driven Content Creation

Google showcased Veo 3, its latest AI video generation model capable of producing realistic videos with synchronized audio, including dialogue and sound effects. Complementing this is Flow, a tool that combines Veo, Imagen, and Gemini technologies to assist creators in generating detailed video content from simple prompts. These tools aim to democratize content creation by leveraging AI.

Android XR: Reimagining Smart Glasses

Reentering the smart glasses arena, Google introduced Android XR glasses in partnership with Samsung and Warby Parker. These glasses aim to blend augmented reality with AI capabilities, offering users real-time information overlays and interactive experiences. While still in prototype stages, they signify Google's renewed focus on wearable technology.

Project Mariner: AI Web Automation

Project Mariner is a browser-based AI agent embedded in Gemini’s “Agent Mode,” designed to automate complex web tasks like purchasing tickets, booking services, and form-filling. It can handle up to ten parallel tasks by interpreting webpage content and executing actions autonomously. Mariner is initially available through the Ultra plan ($249.99/month), with further rollout to APIs and Google products anticipated in 2025.

Google Beam: Realistic 3D Video Chat

Previously known as Project Starline, Google Beam is an AI-enhanced 3D communication platform designed to create realistic face-to-face video calls. Using AI and six synchronized cameras, Beam renders participants in 3D with real-time head tracking, offering an immersive lightfield display. Set for a 2025 release via HP devices, Beam also hints at real-time translation capabilities for global communication.

Katie Michael
Next

AI Now Shapes Teams, Tools & Tactics