Google Cloud Next 2024: Key Highlights from Las Vegas
The Google Cloud Next 2024 event is currently taking place in Las Vegas, running through Thursday. Attendees are treated to a wealth of cloud-centric announcements, including updates on Google's AI-driven chatbot, Gemini, as well as enhancements in AI, DevOps, and security. After a three-year break, last year's event marked the first in-person Cloud Next since 2019. Google showcased its commitment to AI with notable introductions, such as Duet AI for Gmail and a host of generative AI expansions in its security offerings and enterprise updates.
Short on time and can’t catch the full keynote? No worries! Below, we summarize the most significant announcements from the event. Plus, remember that Google also hosted a developer-centric stream on Wednesday, which kicked off at 10:30 a.m. PT.
Introducing Google Vids
On Tuesday, Google unveiled Google Vids, an innovative AI-powered video creation tool, as the newest addition to Google Workspace. This feature enables users to create videos while utilizing other Workspace applications like Docs and Sheets. The integrated tools support editing, writing, and production, allowing real-time collaboration with colleagues within Google Vids. Read more.
Gemini Code Assist
If Gemini Code Assist sounds familiar, it’s because it builds on the foundation of Google’s previous service under the now-retired Duet AI branding.
Innovations in Google Workspace
Among the new features, Google has introduced voice prompts for the AI-powered "Help me write" feature in Gmail for on-the-go users. Additionally, Gmail now allows quick transformation of rough drafts into polished emails. In Sheets, customizable alerts can be sent when specific fields change, while fresh templates streamline spreadsheet creation. For users of Docs, the introduction of tab support helps organize information effectively within a single document rather than multiple linked files. Premium subscribers will be the first to access these new features.
Moreover, Google appears to be planning to monetize two of its latest AI features within Google Workspace. These will likely come as $10/month/user add-ons. One offers a new AI meetings and messaging tool that summarizes discussions and translates content across 69 languages, while the other focuses on AI security to enhance admin capabilities in protecting Google Workspace content.
Enhanced Image Generation with Imagen 2
Back in February, Google announced an AI-driven image generator integrated within Gemini, which was briefly withdrawn due to concerns over biased outputs. Following this, Google has reintroduced Imagen 2—an improved image generation tool that is now generally available through its Vertex AI developer platform. Notable new features include inpainting and outpainting capabilities and the ability to create brief, four-second videos from text prompts—similar to offerings from AI tools like Runway and Irreverent Labs.
Vertex AI Agent Builder
Introducing Vertex AI Agent Builder, a user-friendly tool that empowers companies to build effective AI agents quickly. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian stated, "Vertex AI Agent Builder allows users to easily create and deploy generative AI-powered conversational agents, using a process known as 'grounding' to link answers to reliable sources." Here, Google Search serves as the grounding source, ensuring the accuracy of generated responses.
Gemini Features for Databases
Google’s Gemini features in databases aim to simplify various aspects of database management for Google Cloud clients. These AI-powered developer tools facilitate the creation, monitoring, and migration of application databases.
Shifting Focus on Data Sovereignty
While Google has previously offered cloud sovereignty solutions, the company's current approach emphasizes collaboration with partners rather than developing independent solutions.
AI-Powered Security Tools
Google has introduced a series of generative AI-infused security products aimed at large enterprises. Key offerings include Threat Intelligence, which analyzes potentially malicious code; a natural language search option for identifying threats; Chronicle, a cybersecurity telemetry service; and Security Command Center, a comprehensive enterprise cybersecurity management suite.
Nvidia’s Upcoming Blackwell Platform
One of the eagerly awaited announcements is the Nvidia Blackwell platform, set to hit Google Cloud in early 2025. This next-gen platform will support high-performance workloads and is designed for large language model training, featuring liquid-cooled GB200 servers.
Expansion of Chrome Enterprise
Google’s Chrome Enterprise product suite is growing with the introduction of Chrome Enterprise Premium, which enhances security functionalities aimed at protecting businesses' high-value work conducted through web browsers.
Gemini 1.5 Pro: The Next Level of AI
Google’s latest gem, Gemini 1.5 Pro, is described as their most advanced generative AI model available for public preview on Vertex AI. It boasts the ability to process an impressive range of context, varying from 128,000 to 1 million tokens—where ‘tokens’ are segments of text that compose raw data.
Open Source Innovations for Generative AI
At Google Cloud Next 2024, several new open-source tools designed to support generative AI initiatives were rolled out. Highlights include Max Diffusion, a suite of reference implementations for various diffusion models, JetStream—a new engine to run generative AI models, and MaxTest, which focuses on text-generating AI models optimized for cloud-based TPUs and Nvidia GPUs.
Introducing Axion
Google Cloud has joined the ranks of AWS and Azure by announcing its first custom-designed Arm processor, named Axion. According to Frederic Lardinois, Axion instances promise up to 30% better performance compared to other Arm-based options from competitors, along with enhanced energy efficiency.
Catch the Full Google Cloud Next Keynote
For those eager to dive deeper into the wealth of AI and cloud updates shared at the event, the entire keynote session can be viewed in full via the embed below.
On Wednesday, Google hosted a separate keynote focused on developers, offering a comprehensive exploration of tools mentioned on Tuesday, including Gemini Cloud Assist, AI for product recommendations, and a closing showcase by Hugging Face. You can also check out this full developer keynote below.
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