At its annual Google I/O developer conference on May 20, 2026, Google announced a range of new artificial intelligence features, including a personal AI assistant designed to proactively perform tasks on behalf of users. The assistant, part of Google's push into 'agentic' AI, can handle actions like booking appointments, sending messages, and managing schedules without direct user prompts.
Other announcements included updates to Google's Gemini AI model, which now integrates more deeply with Google Workspace apps such as Gmail and Docs. Google also showcased new tools for developers, including improved APIs for building AI-powered applications, and expanded capabilities for its search engine to provide more contextual answers.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized the company's focus on making AI more helpful and accessible, stating that the new assistant represents a shift from reactive to proactive AI. The features are expected to roll out to users in the coming months, starting with a beta version for Google One subscribers.
