The annual Google I/O developer conference promises to be full with fantastic new features. This year’s conference seems to have a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI). According to a recent report by CNBC, Google is expected to announce a series of AI-focused updates, including a new large language model (LLM) called PaLM 2.
PaLM 2 is a “general-use” LLM and is Google’s most recent and advanced language model yet. The model has reportedly undergone a series of coding and math tests, as well as creative writing tests and analysis. It is expected that Google will showcase some of the model’s capabilities at the conference. This announcement comes only a few months after the introduction of the first PaLM model, which was launched in April 2022, before the recent AI boom caused by applications like ChatGPT.
In addition to PaLM 2, Google is also expected to announce “generative experiences” for search and its AI-powered chatbot, Bard. just the US and the UK presently provide Bard, which was just made available as an experiment in March. The new updates will include expanding Bard to Japanese and Korean languages.
Google will also reveal more AI tools for Workspace, including discussing template generation in Sheets and image generation in Slides and Meet products. While Google announced AI features for Gmail and Docs in March, it only launched them first with “trusted testers.” It remains to be seen if these new features will be available more widely.
Given that Google recently prioritised AI at the centre of practically everything it does, it is not surprise that the corporation is making a major AI splash at Google I/O.
Google has made significant organizational shifts to further push forward its AI work, and with the rise of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s own aggressive AI efforts, it is clear that AI is becoming increasingly important.
However, AI is not the only focus of Google I/O. Google has already announced the Pixel Fold and promised to share more about it at the event. A now-removed Amazon listing also revealed details about the Pixel Tablet, leading many to believe it will be at the show. Additionally, there have been leaks about the Pixel 7A for weeks, including a hands-on all the way back in March.
In conclusion, Google I/O 2023 looks like it will be a fun event with lots of announcements. It is not surprising that Google is focusing on AI, but it will be intriguing to see how it intends to incorporate AI into its many products and services. Stay tuned for more updates from the conference, which begins at 1 PM ET on Wednesday, May 10th.
