Meta is forcing over 7,000 workers to move to new teams, including teams focused on AI cloud infrastructure and an internal AI agent codenamed Hatch, as it pivots to AI. Last month, 1,000 engineers were reassigned to Applied AI, with employees told transfers are mandatory.

Google is making a big push into cybersecurity. At I/O, the company announced that it was inviting select groups of experts to test the API for CodeMender, an "AI agent for code security" it debuted last October. The tool aims to flag and fix vulnerabilities. This follows Anthropic's surprise Claude Mythos Preview announcement, which shocked the AI world. Google CEO Sundar Pichai acknowledged Mythos's value but said Google is capable of similar feats.

OpenAI now uses C2PA metadata and SynthID watermarks to tag AI-generated images, making them harder to strip. A public verification tool is also rolling out.

Google is expanding SynthID and C2PA content verification to Chrome and Search, allowing users to check images for AI-generated markers. The updates, announced at Google I/O, include integration with Google Lens, AI Mode, and Circle to Search, with Chrome support coming soon. A single interface now checks both SynthID and C2PA credentials. Google Cloud also launches an AI content detection API for enterprises, but plans for a dedicated SynthID verification portal have been scrapped.

Google is launching a new AI image generation app called Pics for Workspace, featuring a click-and-comment approach to edit specific parts of an image without rewriting prompts. Powered by Gemini and Nano Banana 2, it rolls out initially as a web app for trusted testers, then for AI Ultra subscribers, with plans to integrate into other Workspace apps.

Google announced Gemini Spark at I/O 2026, an always-on AI agent powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash that runs 24/7 on Google Cloud VMs. It can write emails, create dynamic study guides, monitor credit card statements, and more. Spark integrates with Workspace apps and third-party services via MCP, including Canva, OpenTable. This summer it will interact with local files on macOS. Users can text and email with Spark. The agent operates under user direction and asks permission for high-stakes actions. It rolls out to trusted testers this week, beta next week for Google AI Ultra subscribers in the US. Google also launched the Antigravity desktop app, CLI, and SDK.

Google introduced a new $100/month AI Ultra plan, positioned between its $20 and $200 plans, and reduced the top tier from $250 to $200. The company also shifted from prompt limits to a compute-based usage model, bundling perks like YouTube Premium and 20TB storage.

At Google I/O, Google unveiled Gemini 3.5 Flash, a new AI model that outperforms its predecessor and competes with frontier models like GPT-5.5 and Opus 4.7 at a fraction of the cost. It excels in tool usage and agentic tasks. Also introduced: Gemini Omni, a multimodal video generation model with responsible AI safeguards.

Google announced at I/O that Android Studio now supports multiple AI models including Gemini, GPT, and Claude, and released the Android CLI 1.0 for agent-driven development.

Apple may not be a fan of vibe coding, but Google is leaning in. On Tuesday, Google announced that anyone can now use Google AI Studio to build native, Kotlin-based Android apps with just a few prompts. To test the result, users can install the app on their device and share it with others for testing, or bring it into Android Studio to refine the details and get it ready for wider distribution.

The new AI Ultra plan runs $100 a month, while the top-tier Ultra subscription has been cut from $250 to $200. But the AI Plus and Pro plans also get some perks.

Google announced Gemini Omni, a powerful AI video tool that generates high-quality videos from text, images, audio, or video. Features include digital avatars, physics modeling, and natural language editing. While it promises to revolutionize video creation, it also raises concerns about misuse and trust.

Google announced a host of Search updates at I/O 2026, transforming the product into a more conversational, personal, and assistant-like experience. New features include AI Mode powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, a revamped AI Search box, information agents, agentic booking, shopping, coding, and personal intelligence. These changes mark a shift from simple keyword matching to proactive agency.

Google announced a sweeping redesign of the search box at I/O 2025, transforming it into an AI-driven multimodal conversation interface. The company is merging AI Overviews and AI Mode, introducing generative UI, and launching information agents. Powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, the new search experience shifts from keywords to natural language conversations, with significant implications for users, publishers, advertisers, and SEO.

Google introduces Gmail Live, an AI voice mode that lets users interact with their inbox by speaking. The feature, part of a broader push into voice-driven AI, also comes to Docs and Keep. Available to Pro and Ultra subscribers starting this summer.

At Google I/O 2026, Google unveiled a redesigned search box that blends AI Overviews and AI Mode, powered by the Gemini 3.5 Flash model. The update includes AI-powered autocomplete, seamless transitions between AI Overviews and AI Mode, and new AI agents that monitor topics in the background. Additionally, Google plans to introduce generative UI features for building custom widgets and apps directly in Search.

Google unveils a Universal Cart AI shopping tool that aggregates products across retailers and Google services, aiming to simplify online shopping with features like price tracking, discount alerts, and compatibility checks. Despite retailer and consumer trust challenges, Google positions itself as a matchmaker rather than a merchant.

Introducing a $100 AI Ultra plan — plus, new features and benefits for Google AI Plus, Pro and Ultra subscribers.

Google at I/O 2026 announced major upgrades to AI Search, including AI Mode powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, a reimagined intelligent Search box, Search agents, agentic coding capabilities, and expanded Personal Intelligence, ushering in a new era of search.

Gemini 3.5 is Google's latest model family combining frontier intelligence with action, starting with 3.5 Flash. It excels at agentic tasks and coding, with speeds 4x faster than other frontier models. Available today in Gemini app, AI Mode, and developer platforms. 3.5 Pro coming next month.

At Google I/O 2026, CEO Sundar Pichai unveiled major AI advances including the multimodal Gemini Omni model, faster Gemini 3.5 Flash, new Ask YouTube and Docs Live features, eighth-gen TPUs, and expanded SynthID watermarking partnerships with OpenAI, Kakao, and Eleven Labs.

Announcing new voice capabilities in Gmail, Docs and Keep, a new design tool called Google Pics and updates to AI Inbox.

One year after launch, AI Mode has surpassed a billion monthly active users globally, with users shifting from keywords to natural language queries, using voice and images, and asking longer questions.

At Google I/O 2026, we shared how we’re making AI more helpful for everyone. See everything we announced.

Domino Data Lab announced at its Rev conference new capabilities to help regulated enterprises build, scale, and govern AI applications. Features include App Hub, integrated coding assistants, HPC workload support via Slurm, and an extensions framework, bridging the gap from demo to production.

A Guardian article reports that UK schools are being blackmailed with AI-generated child sexual abuse images created from photos shared on school websites. Experts warn that schools should remove pupils' online photos to prevent AI exploitation and privacy risks.

At Sapphire 2026, SAP CEO Christian Klein unveiled the Autonomous Suite, warning that 'almost right' is insufficient when AI makes business decisions. The suite integrates Joule agents and automation tools for finance, procurement, HR, and supply chains, reducing manual intervention. SAP also announced partnerships with Anthropic and Palantir, along with a €100 million fund to support automation adoption. Klein stated that in five years, SAP's advantage will come from trusted operational data and governance infrastructure.

Blackstone is investing $5 billion in an AI cloud startup that uses Google TPUs, marking Google's entry into the neocloud market.

A long and bitter legal battle between tech billionaires Elon Musk and Sam Altman has culminated in victory for the OpenAI boss. Musk has vowed to appeal the verdict. The trial revealed insights into big tech and the global AI race.

A long and bitter legal battle between tech billionaires Elon Musk and Sam Altman has culminated in victory for the OpenAI boss. Musk has vowed to appeal the verdict. What did the trial reveal about big tech and the global AI race? Guardian US tech and power reporter Nick Robins-Early discusses.