Google I/O returns in person and online: mark May 19-20. Ready to see what Google brings in artificial intelligence and its key products?
What is Google I/O and why it matters
Google I/O is Google's annual developer conference where advances in software, platforms and, lately, AI are usually presented. It's not just for engineers: what gets announced here ends up affecting apps, devices and services you use every day.
Why should you pay attention? Because many innovations that change the user experience start at I/O: from improvements in Android to new features in AI-powered tools like Gemini.
What to expect at I/O 2026
Date and format: May 19-20, at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, and online at io.google.
Typical agenda: keynote from Google leaders, fireside-style talks, product demos and sessions for developers. This year Google promises to focus on "the latest advances in AI" and updates across the company's products, from Gemini to Android and more.
- Main announcements in AI and products.
- Live demos showing practical applications.
- Content for both developers and users and entrepreneurs.
First look: the "save-the-date" experience
While you wait, Google launched an interactive "save-the-date" experience where you can play, create and remix experiences built with Gemini.
"Play, create and remix your way through a playground of experiences built with Gemini."
It's a hands-on way to try what Google is experimenting with: it's not just marketing, it's an invitation to interact with AI tools before the event.
How to follow the event
If you don't travel to Mountain View, the simplest way is to follow the official online streams. Point your browser to io.google and set notifications for the keynotes.
If you're a developer: check the technical sessions after the keynotes; they usually upload recordings and materials. If you're a creator or entrepreneur: pay attention to demos and product announcements you can integrate into your projects.
What this means for developers, companies and users
For developers: opportunities to integrate new APIs, tools and models into your products. For companies: announcements that can change product and service roadmaps. For users: improvements in everyday experiences thanks to new features in Android and AI-powered services.
Worried about AI complexity? Not everything announced will be immediate or for everyone, but you'll see clear trends: more accessible models, deeper integrations and demos that show real use cases.
Final thought
Saving the date is the first step. Google I/O will keep being a barometer of where consumer tech and applied AI are headed. If you're interested in how artificial intelligence transforms products and business opportunities, May 19-20 will be a date to mark on your calendar.
Original source
https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/developers-tools/io-2026-save-the-date