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ARTICLE #29
Google I/O 2024: Highlights on updates and future prospects
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Written by:
10 min read
Updated on: May 23, 2024
Toni Hukkanen
Head of Design
Creative Direction, Brand Direction
Toni Hukkanen
Head of Design
Creative Direction, Brand Direction
Google I/O 2024 just ended with a flood of AI revelations—such as fresh new AI models, the rebranding of Google’s chatbot from Bard to Gemini, plus upgrades to everything from Search and Workspace to Android 15 and Chrome. Some marketers feel a bit jittery about potential drops in organic traffic, while others see a bonanza of possibilities for adapting to these changes.
Missed the event? Here’s your cheat sheet on the biggest headlines and how they might shape the digital marketing scene.
Google I/O 2024 just ended with a flood of AI revelations—such as fresh new AI models, the rebranding of Google’s chatbot from Bard to Gemini, plus upgrades to everything from Search and Workspace to Android 15 and Chrome. Some marketers feel a bit jittery about potential drops in organic traffic, while others see a bonanza of possibilities for adapting to these changes.
Missed the event? Here’s your cheat sheet on the biggest headlines and how they might shape the digital marketing scene.
What is Google I/O?
What is Google I/O?
Google I/O is Google’s annual developer conference, typically held each May (except for 2020). The “I/O” stands for input/output—a nod to computing basics—while also implying “Innovation in the Open.” It’s the platform where Google unveils new software, services, and product updates. This year, it took place on 14–15 May at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.
Google I/O is Google’s annual developer conference, typically held each May (except for 2020). The “I/O” stands for input/output—a nod to computing basics—while also implying “Innovation in the Open.” It’s the platform where Google unveils new software, services, and product updates. This year, it took place on 14–15 May at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.
Google I/O 2024 Highlights
Plenty of fans gear up for May, anticipating Google’s latest moves in artificial intelligence. True to form, AI took centre stage again, as Google aims to stay ahead in the AI arms race. Here are key highlights:
Google released the budget-friendly Pixel 8A
OpenAI dropped GPT-4o a day before Google’s show, stealing a bit of the limelight
AI Overviews emerged as the new AI-powered search results page
Multi-step reasoning promises better handling of complex queries
Notebook LM offers lesson creation from your research materials
‘Ask Photos’ uses AI to find stuff within your photo library
Auto Gmail Summaries deliver quick overviews of your inbox
Below are the main updates and upgrades in more detail.
Plenty of fans gear up for May, anticipating Google’s latest moves in artificial intelligence. True to form, AI took centre stage again, as Google aims to stay ahead in the AI arms race. Here are key highlights:
Google released the budget-friendly Pixel 8A
OpenAI dropped GPT-4o a day before Google’s show, stealing a bit of the limelight
AI Overviews emerged as the new AI-powered search results page
Multi-step reasoning promises better handling of complex queries
Notebook LM offers lesson creation from your research materials
‘Ask Photos’ uses AI to find stuff within your photo library
Auto Gmail Summaries deliver quick overviews of your inbox
Below are the main updates and upgrades in more detail.
Gemini Advanced Updates
Google’s on-device mobile language model, Gemini Nano, now supports multimodality—turning “any input into any output.” The system can process text, audio, social media clips, photos, website content, and even live video from your phone’s camera, generating summaries or quick answers. During a live demo, the model scanned multiple book titles on a shelf, logging them into a database for future recognition—impressive stuff indeed.
Gemini 1.5 Flash
In addition, Google launched Gemini 1.5 Flash, a speedy AI model designed for tasks that demand fast response times. It’s equally powerful as Gemini 1.5 Pro but more budget-friendly, and it’s available via Google’s AI Studio and Vertex AI. Meanwhile, Gemini 1.5 Pro itself was upgraded to double its context window from 1 million tokens to 2 million, improving everything from coding to language translation.
‘Ask Photos’
This feature lets Gemini sift through your Google Photos library to answer queries. Sundar Pichai demonstrated how it pulled up his licence plate number from an image with uncanny precision. According to Google’s developers, “Ask Photos” doesn’t collect data for ad targeting or train other AI models, so user privacy is presumably safe.
Gemini 1.5 Pro in Workspace
Google is also integrating Gemini 1.5 Pro across its Workspace apps (Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Drive). Initially, these features will be available to paid subscribers, functioning as an AI all-rounder that retrieves info from your Drive, drafts emails, or sets reminders based on content in your documents. Some testers have these perks now, but paid users worldwide should see them next month.
Google’s on-device mobile language model, Gemini Nano, now supports multimodality—turning “any input into any output.” The system can process text, audio, social media clips, photos, website content, and even live video from your phone’s camera, generating summaries or quick answers. During a live demo, the model scanned multiple book titles on a shelf, logging them into a database for future recognition—impressive stuff indeed.
Gemini 1.5 Flash
In addition, Google launched Gemini 1.5 Flash, a speedy AI model designed for tasks that demand fast response times. It’s equally powerful as Gemini 1.5 Pro but more budget-friendly, and it’s available via Google’s AI Studio and Vertex AI. Meanwhile, Gemini 1.5 Pro itself was upgraded to double its context window from 1 million tokens to 2 million, improving everything from coding to language translation.
‘Ask Photos’
This feature lets Gemini sift through your Google Photos library to answer queries. Sundar Pichai demonstrated how it pulled up his licence plate number from an image with uncanny precision. According to Google’s developers, “Ask Photos” doesn’t collect data for ad targeting or train other AI models, so user privacy is presumably safe.
Gemini 1.5 Pro in Workspace
Google is also integrating Gemini 1.5 Pro across its Workspace apps (Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Drive). Initially, these features will be available to paid subscribers, functioning as an AI all-rounder that retrieves info from your Drive, drafts emails, or sets reminders based on content in your documents. Some testers have these perks now, but paid users worldwide should see them next month.
Search Upgrades
Google still dominates search advertising, which means it can’t ignore AI’s growing influence. Although Microsoft’s Bing AI hasn’t overtaken Google, it has posed enough of a threat for Google to rethink how it weaves AI into search.
Search Generative Experience morphs into AI Overviews
The experimental Search Generative Experience from 2023 is now called AI Overviews. This functionality offers AI-driven insights at the top of your search results, rolling out to all US-based users. Google claims it’s already been used billions of times through Search Labs.
AI organised search
An upcoming addition, AI Overviews can create dynamic headings for search results more closely aligned with user queries. A new “Search Personalise” feature will allow you to refine how detailed or simplified the AI overview is. For example, it might recommend places to eat or books to read or even help you find the perfect film to watch tonight.
Google Chrome AI Assistant
Gemini Nano also moves to Google Chrome on the desktop, acting like a writing buddy for product reviews, social media captions, or other content tasks. The idea is to save you some hassle if you’re typing something repeatedly or seeking quick, AI-powered suggestions.
Google still dominates search advertising, which means it can’t ignore AI’s growing influence. Although Microsoft’s Bing AI hasn’t overtaken Google, it has posed enough of a threat for Google to rethink how it weaves AI into search.
Search Generative Experience morphs into AI Overviews
The experimental Search Generative Experience from 2023 is now called AI Overviews. This functionality offers AI-driven insights at the top of your search results, rolling out to all US-based users. Google claims it’s already been used billions of times through Search Labs.
AI organised search
An upcoming addition, AI Overviews can create dynamic headings for search results more closely aligned with user queries. A new “Search Personalise” feature will allow you to refine how detailed or simplified the AI overview is. For example, it might recommend places to eat or books to read or even help you find the perfect film to watch tonight.
Google Chrome AI Assistant
Gemini Nano also moves to Google Chrome on the desktop, acting like a writing buddy for product reviews, social media captions, or other content tasks. The idea is to save you some hassle if you’re typing something repeatedly or seeking quick, AI-powered suggestions.
Android Updates
Google Assistant is stepping aside, and replaced by Gemini as the default AI assistant for Android 15. Coupled with Android TalkBack, Gemini’s multimodal features will give users a richer smartphone interface. The feature currently syncs with YouTube, Google, Gmail, and Messages.
Circle to Search stands out as well—just circle any on-screen image, text, or video snippet, and the system will run a Google search on that selection. Handy for solving math equations or exploring new topics.
AI-Powered scam detection
Another Android upgrade is advanced scam detection, which listens for suspicious phrases (like requests to wire money) during phone calls. If it detects anything fishy, it’ll prompt you to hang up. This process happens on your phone itself, so you’re not broadcasting your private calls to the cloud.
Project Astra
Google’s ambitious multimodal AI assistant aims to understand your environment (via your phone camera), recall item locations, and handle tasks on your behalf. Think of it as an AI agent that can chat with you and execute errands as needed.
Google Assistant is stepping aside, and replaced by Gemini as the default AI assistant for Android 15. Coupled with Android TalkBack, Gemini’s multimodal features will give users a richer smartphone interface. The feature currently syncs with YouTube, Google, Gmail, and Messages.
Circle to Search stands out as well—just circle any on-screen image, text, or video snippet, and the system will run a Google search on that selection. Handy for solving math equations or exploring new topics.
AI-Powered scam detection
Another Android upgrade is advanced scam detection, which listens for suspicious phrases (like requests to wire money) during phone calls. If it detects anything fishy, it’ll prompt you to hang up. This process happens on your phone itself, so you’re not broadcasting your private calls to the cloud.
Project Astra
Google’s ambitious multimodal AI assistant aims to understand your environment (via your phone camera), recall item locations, and handle tasks on your behalf. Think of it as an AI agent that can chat with you and execute errands as needed.
Veo (Text-to-video generator)
A significant unveiling at Google I/O 2024: Veo, a text-to-video AI model generating 1080p clips over a minute long. Built on earlier Google research like Lumiere and Imagen-Video, Veo interprets your written prompt and translates cinematic cues (like “time-lapse”) into relevant videos. It’s in private preview through VideoFX, and there’s a waitlist for curious creators. It’s a potential rival to OpenAI’s Sora model, also operating in text-to-media creation.
Google also presented a range of other AI enhancements:
Imagen 3: An updated text-to-image generator delivering clearer images with fewer glitches.
VideoFX: Part of Veo’s generative video toolbox, offering flexible editing capabilities.
ImageFX: A sophisticated, high-resolution image generator with minimal artefacts.
MusicFX DJ Mode: AI-based music creation that crafts loops and samples from basic text prompts.
A significant unveiling at Google I/O 2024: Veo, a text-to-video AI model generating 1080p clips over a minute long. Built on earlier Google research like Lumiere and Imagen-Video, Veo interprets your written prompt and translates cinematic cues (like “time-lapse”) into relevant videos. It’s in private preview through VideoFX, and there’s a waitlist for curious creators. It’s a potential rival to OpenAI’s Sora model, also operating in text-to-media creation.
Google also presented a range of other AI enhancements:
Imagen 3: An updated text-to-image generator delivering clearer images with fewer glitches.
VideoFX: Part of Veo’s generative video toolbox, offering flexible editing capabilities.
ImageFX: A sophisticated, high-resolution image generator with minimal artefacts.
MusicFX DJ Mode: AI-based music creation that crafts loops and samples from basic text prompts.
What marketers should be doing now?
With these sweeping AI and Search updates, some marketers fear SEO is doomed. Not so fast. Here’s how to adapt:
Monitor SERPs and traffic
Keep a close eye on AI Overviews in your crucial keywords. Are your pages cited? Is the AI spitting out correct (and hopefully helpful) summaries? Adjust your content accordingly.
Optimise for authority
It’s worth securing solid backlinks from reputable sites and fine-tuning your on-page content. If your site is regularly name-dropped as a source, that might mean prime AI placement.
Prioritise user experience
A well-structured, fast-loading website remains essential—AI or not. Invest in comprehensive, research-backed content, anticipating queries the AI might highlight.
Stay updated
Google’s AI Overviews and other features will keep evolving. Dip into forums, webinars, and industry news to stay current.
With these sweeping AI and Search updates, some marketers fear SEO is doomed. Not so fast. Here’s how to adapt:
Monitor SERPs and traffic
Keep a close eye on AI Overviews in your crucial keywords. Are your pages cited? Is the AI spitting out correct (and hopefully helpful) summaries? Adjust your content accordingly.
Optimise for authority
It’s worth securing solid backlinks from reputable sites and fine-tuning your on-page content. If your site is regularly name-dropped as a source, that might mean prime AI placement.
Prioritise user experience
A well-structured, fast-loading website remains essential—AI or not. Invest in comprehensive, research-backed content, anticipating queries the AI might highlight.
Stay updated
Google’s AI Overviews and other features will keep evolving. Dip into forums, webinars, and industry news to stay current.
Final Thoughts on Google I/O
This year’s Google I/O event signalled a transformative juncture for search, AI, and SEO practices, wrapping in Gemini and fresh algorithm tweaks. Google’s intention is clear: enhance user journeys with AI-driven snippets and advanced content generation. For businesses and site owners, adaptability is everything. Whether that means sprinkling AI-friendly cues into your pages, upgrading your technical SEO, or just keeping tabs on future improvements, the lesson is the same: stay alert and be ready for the next wave of change.
This year’s Google I/O event signalled a transformative juncture for search, AI, and SEO practices, wrapping in Gemini and fresh algorithm tweaks. Google’s intention is clear: enhance user journeys with AI-driven snippets and advanced content generation. For businesses and site owners, adaptability is everything. Whether that means sprinkling AI-friendly cues into your pages, upgrading your technical SEO, or just keeping tabs on future improvements, the lesson is the same: stay alert and be ready for the next wave of change.
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