Google I/O 2023 live: AI reaches ‘inflection point’, CEO says, as Bard opens to all
Google unveiled its latest artificial intelligence offerings at its annual developers conference, alongside new products ranging from Pixel phones to the Android 14 operating system.
Google I/O 2023 offered Alphabet the chance to show what its massive investments into AI have delivered, as it seeks to take on OpenAI’s hugely popular ChatGPT chatbot.
Chief executive Sundar Pichai announced integration of Google’s generative AI into its Maps, Gmail and Search, while its Bard AI is now available for everyone without the need to join a waitlist.
Hardware announcements were also made, including a new Pixel Fold smartphone and Pixel Tablet. Updates to the Android operating system, which is used by more than 2 billion people, will also see artificial intelligence added as a key component to people’s smartphones.
The keynote was streamed on Google’s YouTube channel, which is available below, as well as all the news and updates from the event.
Google I/O 2023: AI responsibility once again stressed
“There’s a natural tension between the two,” Google says.
There’s been a lot of talk about responsible AI development among regulators and lawmakers in the UK and US in recent weeks. You can read more about that here:
Google I/O 2023: From AI to Android
Nearly an hour and a half and we’re finally hearing about something other than AI.
Sameer Samat, VP of product management for Android, comes up to tell us about Wear OS, the operating system for Android smartwatches.
WhatsApp will be coming to Watch OS this summer is the biggest announcement.
Google I/O 2023: Generative AI wallpapers
AI can’t stay out of the spotlight for long, this time for creating original wallpapers on your Android phone.
The idea, we’re told, is that “out of the billions of Android phones out there, no other phone will be quite like mine”. A photo you take yourself would also do that.
Google I/O 2023: Pixel portfolio grows
Pixel Watch, Pixel phones and Pixel headphones all appear to be getting updates.
The first announcement is one that’s been heavily leaked: the Google Pixel 7a.
It manages to cram a lot of the premium features of the more pricey phones into a device that’s under $500. It’ll be available from today.
Google I/O 2023: Pixel tablet to take on iPad
Google is hoping its new Pixel Tablet can compete against the market-dominating Apple iPad. Combined with the firm’s new AI tools, the new tablet may just offer something a bit different.
Google I/O 2023: Pixel Fold unveiled
Tablets aren’t the only large-screen device that Google is going to unveil today. Up next, the Pixel Fold.
The heavily leaked device is the thinnest foldable on the market, Google claims, packing a flagship-level phone into an ultra-slim device. This meant redesigning the entire phone.
It has three-times the screen space of a standard phone and Google claims it has the most durable hinge of any folding phone on the market.
Google I/O 2023: ‘Shift with AI is as big as they come'
Sundar Pichai rejoins the proceedings to close us out with some more comments on AI.
“The shift with AI is as big as they come, and that’s why it’s so important that we make AI helpful for everyone,” he says.
“We are approaching it boldly with a sense of excitement, because as we look ahead, Google’s deep understanding of information, combined with the capabilities of generative AI, can transform search and all of our products yet again.”
And with that, he’s off. That’s goodbye from Google, and goodbye from us. Thanks for joining us.
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