Google I/O 2026 went beyond presenting new features during its main keynote. On the Dialogues stage, Google leaders, scientists, and figures from the creative industry discussed how artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and robotics are changing technology and society.
A look beyond the main keynote
Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, spoke with Matt Berman, founder of Future Forward, about the vision behind I/O 2026’s most important announcements.
The conversation sought to answer a key question: what’s behind each new AI feature? Beyond the flashy demonstrations, Google presented its conference as part of a broader strategy to integrate artificial intelligence into work, science, and everyday life.
AI agents that act proactively
One of the central topics was the progress of AI agents, systems capable of carrying out tasks and making decisions with fewer direct instructions from the user.
Josh Woodward, Koray Kavukcuoglu, Liz Reid, and Jeff Dean took part in a conversation moderated by Logan Kilpatrick about the impact of these agents on productivity. The idea is to move from tools that only answer questions to assistants that can organize information, anticipate needs, and complete multi-step processes.
The change isn’t just about talking with an AI, but about delegating specific tasks to it under a person’s supervision.
Imagine, for example, an agent that reviews your calendar, finds an available time, prepares an agenda, and suggests the documents needed for a meeting. This type of experience still raises challenges around security, privacy, and control, but it’s already part of the direction the industry is taking.
The connection between quantum computing and AI
Hartmut Neven and James Manyika analyzed the relationship between quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Although quantum computing is still in development, its potential could be significant for solving problems that are too complex for traditional systems.
The conversation also helps put the timeline into perspective. Does this mean quantum computers will soon replace today’s computers? No. For now, the focus is on discovering which specific problems they could help solve, especially in areas such as scientific simulation, optimization, and the development of new materials.
AI for solving scientific problems
Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, spoke with Mike Allen of Axios about the role of AI in scientific research.
Artificial intelligence is already being used to analyze large volumes of data, predict protein structures, and speed up discovery processes. The challenge is turning those capabilities into verifiable results that can support researchers, doctors, and institutions.
AI doesn’t replace the scientific method. It can help find patterns, formulate hypotheses, and reduce the time needed to explore different possibilities, but conclusions still require experiments, review, and human validation.
Robotics and AI that understands the physical world
Kanishka Rao of Google DeepMind and Alberto Rodriguez of Boston Dynamics spoke with Jacklyn Dallas of NothingButTech about advances in physical AI or embodied AI.
This concept describes systems capable of perceiving their surroundings and acting in the real world through robots. Unlike an application that works only with text or images, a robot must interpret spaces, objects, movements, and potential obstacles in real time.
That leap is especially complex. A model can describe how to pick up a cup, but a robot needs to locate it, calculate the right amount of force, move its joints, and react if someone changes the object’s position. The conversation showed why robotics requires combining AI models, sensors, physical control, and continuous learning.
Creativity and new ways to tell stories
Director Doug Liman and 30 Ninjas representatives Jed Weintrob and Julina Tatlock spoke with Mira Lane of Google about using AI in film and audiovisual storytelling.
The discussion focused on how these tools can expand creative possibilities, from previsualizing scenes to experimenting with styles, worlds, and visual resources. At the same time, it raises important questions about authorship, creators’ rights, and the role of people in the artistic process.
Can AI make a movie on its own? That doesn’t seem like the most useful question. The real debate is about how creative teams can use it to explore more ideas without losing the intention, sensitivity, and responsibility that give a story meaning.
A stage for understanding where technology is headed
The Google I/O 2026 conversations show that artificial intelligence is no longer being presented as an isolated technology. It’s connected to digital agents, scientific research, quantum computing, robots, and audiovisual production.
For people following these developments from outside the technology sector, the message is simple: the next stage won’t depend only on more powerful models. It will also be necessary to build systems that are trustworthy, easy to supervise, and useful in real-world situations.
Google said that all the conversations from the Dialogues stage are available on YouTube, offering an opportunity to learn more about the participants’ ideas and understand how the company imagines the future of AI.
Original source
https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/ai/io-2026-dialogues-recap