Google Unveils Bold AI Vision with Smart Glasses, AI Mode, and Premium Plans at I/O 2025
At its annual I/O conference in Mountain View, California, Google introduced major advancements in artificial intelligence, including a new “AI Mode” for Search and premium subscription services aimed at high-demand users. The company’s top executives, including CEO Sundar Pichai, emphasized Google’s evolving role in the AI race, showcasing features meant to retain dominance in online search amid rising competition from OpenAI and others. The centerpiece was a $249.99/month “AI Ultra Plan” offering access to powerful tools and cloud perks, reflecting a clear push to monetize its costly AI developments.
Google’s “AI Mode” will now be available to all U.S. users, shifting traditional search into a more conversational, answer-focused experience. With AI capable of interpreting complex queries and proactively handling tasks—like making phone calls or generating study materials—the company hopes to redefine search itself. Pichai highlighted affordability and scale as central goals, claiming Google can deliver leading AI models at the best price points. The Gemini AI assistant, which now has over 400 million monthly users, will serve as the backbone of these new capabilities.
Another highlight was Google’s revived interest in smart glasses, a technology it once struggled to bring to market. This time, the glasses integrate with Google’s new Android XR platform and support real-time translation and environment-based queries through Gemini. Demonstrations showed how these glasses could aid users in daily tasks, hinting at the future of hands-free computing. Google is also partnering with Samsung, Warby Parker, and Gentle Monster to develop advanced AR headsets.
Despite these innovations, Google faces mounting pressure on its search dominance. A recent revelation in an antitrust case showed a decline in Safari-based searches, raising concerns about market erosion. Analysts now predict Google’s search market share could dip below 50% within five years, with AI chatbots increasingly replacing traditional search. However, Google sees this evolution as an opportunity, betting that AI-powered search will bring new avenues for targeted advertising and user engagement.
To reinforce its position, Google revealed additional AI tools, including Project Astra’s universal agent concept and a new model called Veo 3 that creates realistic audio-visual content. These upgrades underline Alphabet’s deep commitment, with AI investments comprising the bulk of its projected $75 billion capital expenditure for 2025. As the tech giant accelerates into the AI era, the conference made it clear that Google is no longer reacting to the competition—it is working to reclaim the lead.
Source: Reuters