For over two decades, we have dedicated ourselves to investing in machine learning and AI research, along with the necessary tools and infrastructure, to create products that enhance daily life for a broader audience. Teams across Google are actively exploring ways to harness the benefits of AI in diverse areas such as healthcare, crisis management, and education. To keep you informed about our developments, we’re providing a regular summary of the latest AI news from Google covering our products, research, and more. Here’s a recap of some of our AI announcements from January. In January 2025, our primary focus was on putting AI benefits directly into your hands, showcasing some of our recent breakthroughs from 2024. We significantly upgraded performance by introducing Gemini 2. 0 Flash within the Gemini app, which ensures quicker responses, enhanced capabilities, and robust assistance whether you’re brainstorming, learning, or writing. During the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event, we highlighted how our conversational assistant, Gemini Live, is evolving to become more adaptable. Users of Gemini Live on Samsung Galaxy S24 and S25 series devices as well as Pixel 9 can now incorporate images, files, and YouTube videos into their conversations to generate new ideas, organize thoughts, or facilitate understanding of complex subjects. Additionally, we enhanced Circle to Search, effectively placing AI right in your hands. We also announced the arrival of Google Cloud's Automotive AI Agent for Mercedes-Benz. This innovative tool provides automakers with a means to develop helpful and engaging experiences for drivers. Mercedes-Benz is among the first car manufacturers set to leverage this technology, which goes beyond traditional vehicle voice control, enabling natural conversations and queries while driving, such as asking, “Is there an Italian restaurant nearby?” We shared five ways NotebookLM Plus can benefit your business.

NotebookLM is a powerful tool that aids in understanding various topics, including synthesizing intricate ideas from extensive research. This month, we expanded the availability of our premium NotebookLM Plus across more Google Workspace plans, supporting businesses and their employees in sharing team notebooks, centralizing projects, streamlining onboarding, and enhancing learning through Audio Overviews. We introduced new AI tools designed to assist retailers in developing generative AI search and agents. Kicking off the year, the National Retail Federation held its annual conference where Google Cloud demonstrated how AI agents and AI-driven search are currently aiding retailers in operating more effectively, creating personalized shopping experiences, and utilizing AI to deliver the latest products and experiences to customers. Three leaders from Google came together for an in-depth look at our AI advancements during 2024. Over the past year, we have rapidly progressed in our commitment to boldly and responsibly advancing AI and exploring its various benefits for humanity. In a recent publication, Demis Hassabis, James Manyika, and Jeff Dean presented a summary of a year filled with significant scientific milestones (including a Nobel Prize!), AI-enabled product enhancements, advancements in robotics and hardware, and the development of new models tailored for the agentic era. Lastly, we issued an open invitation for applications for the upcoming Google. org Accelerator focused on Generative AI. This technology holds great promise in addressing some of the world's most urgent challenges—provided individuals have the necessary training, tools, and resources to harness its potential. Consequently, Google. org has launched the six-month Generative AI Accelerator program aimed at supporting nonprofits and organizations in need. The latest round of applications has opened with $30 million in funding available: Apply by February 10, 2025, at g. co/Accelerator/GenAI.