Google debuts new AI models and personal agents at I/O 2026

Google used its I/O 2026 developer conference to announce new Gemini models, Search agents, and personal AI agent features across its consumer and developer products.

The company launched Gemini 3.5 Flash, a lighter-weight model that Google says combines frontier-level intelligence with lower latency and cost. Google says 3.5 Flash is generally available through Google Antigravity, the Gemini API in Google AI Studio, and Android Studio. The model is also becoming the default for the Gemini app and AI Mode in Search globally.

Google also said Gemini 3.5 Pro is already being used internally and is expected to roll out more broadly next month.

On the agent side, Google announced information agents in Search that can monitor topics in the background across web sources and real-time data, including finance, shopping, and sports. Google says those agents will produce synthesized updates and support follow-up action. The feature is scheduled to roll out first to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers this summer.

The company also announced Gemini Spark, a personal AI agent for the Gemini app. Google describes Spark as a 24/7 agent that can work in the background on a phone or laptop, take action under user direction, and check with users before major actions. The beta is planned first for trusted testers and Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S.

Google said AI Mode has surpassed 1 billion monthly users, while the Gemini app has passed 900 million monthly active users.

Sources: https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/ai/google-io-2026-all-our-announcements/ and https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/19/google-ai-ultra-gemini-spark-omni.html