Google AI's Big Moves: What You Need to Know from I/O 2026

Google's I/O 2026 showcased a push forward in AI, featuring new products that signal its ambition to dominate the space. From the AI agent Spark, which can run tasks in the background, to a remodelled Google Search with AI-driven features, the company's strides in artificial intelligence were clear. But not everything went as planned. The anticipated Gemini 3.5 Pro release was notably missing, with CEO Sundar Pichai promising its arrival next month.

The numbers out of Google are staggering. The company reported that users worldwide consumed 3.2 quadrillion AI tokens monthly, a sevenfold increase from last year. Its Gemini app has doubled its user base to 900 million in the same period. Google's AI Overviews in Search now boast 2.5 billion monthly active users. This kind of traction is the tech giant's investment in AI, yet it still trails competitors like Anthropic and OpenAI in coding capabilities.

Demis Hassabis, Google's AI chief, painted a picture of humanity at the 'foothills of the singularity.' He sees AI as a boost to human creativity and scientific discovery. Yet Google's race isn't over. With rivals like Anthropic's Claude Code and OpenAI's Codex in the lead, Google's new Antigravity project is essential if it wants to excel in AI coding. The company's not backing down, though, showcasing improvements and pushing to close the gap.

What's the takeaway? Google's AI advancements might not be there yet, but they're moving fast. Watch for Gemini 3.5 Pro next month. Will it be the big deal Google hopes? That's something to keep an eye on.