OpenAI’s latest announcement was no coincidence. Timed precisely on Monday, it set the stage before Google’s annual developer conference, Google I/O, which occurred just 24 hours later. This move was a clear challenge to Google, signaling that they have a lot of catching up to do.
For those deeply interested in Google’s latest updates, the two-hour keynote presentation from the 2024 Google I/O can be found on YouTube. You can find the two-hour keynote presentation herehttps://www.youtube.com/live/XEzRZ35urlk?si=x4ZKuW2z-IzBo6U7.
It’s no surprise that the entire event centered around artificial intelligence (AI). The advancements from OpenAI, Google, X (formerly Twitter), and Meta may seem distant, but they are poised to significantly impact our daily lives across various professions—from truck driving to healthcare.
These tech giants are developing foundational models that will power countless AI applications. This technology is already being integrated into everyday products, and soon it will be ubiquitous, seamlessly embedded into our daily routines. Given these companies’ global reach and the software-based nature of AI, distribution and adoption will happen rapidly.
Both OpenAI and Google showcased more efficient AI models that are faster and less costly to operate. This focus on efficiency is crucial because the high computational demands of AI must be reduced to facilitate mass market rollout. While venture capital can subsidize initial losses, sustainable business models require revenue to exceed operational costs.
The drive to lower costs is pivotal for the global deployment of AI technology, particularly in the advertising sector where scale brings significant revenue. Both companies also highlighted advancements in multi-input, conversational AI, and multi-model designs. Despite Google lagging behind OpenAI, its vast financial resources and the expertise of the DeepMind team, led by Demis Hassabis, suggest it could catch up within 12-18 months.
Google’s Unique Announcements
Google’s announcements differed in their focus on integrating AI into consumer-facing products. For instance, the upcoming Ask Photos feature in Google Photos will allow users to find specific photos with simple voice commands. This is made possible by Google’s comprehensive data collection from various sources, enabling AI to understand context and relationships.
Google also introduced Learn LM, a feature that enhances educational experiences by allowing users to query AI while watching lectures or videos, providing a tutoring-like experience. Additionally, Google is integrating its Gemini AI into Google Workspace products like Gmail, Docs, and Sheets.
Take Google Photos for example…
Ask Photos with Gemini | Source: Google 2024 I/O Keynote on YouTube
One of the most intriguing announcements was Project Astra, a multi-modal universal assistant envisioned as a “Star Trek Communicator.” This AI can understand and interact with its surroundings through voice, audio, video, and real-time camera inputs, demonstrating capabilities like reading and explaining software code.
These AI agents, which can respond to and interact with the real world, are becoming more common. They can understand emotions and context, providing empathetic responses and support without judgment.
The Impact on Advertising
There has been speculation about how this technology might disrupt Google’s advertising revenue. However, Google’s ability to understand user behavior and context could enhance its advertising capabilities. With AI understanding our moods, desires, and behaviors, targeted advertising could become even more effective.
Google also demonstrated new AR smart glasses, adding vision capabilities to AI. These glasses function similarly to a smartphone camera but are hands-free, enhancing user interaction with the real world.
In conclusion, the reduction in friction that these technologies provide will accelerate their adoption, integrating AI more deeply into our daily lives.