All posts tagged: Googles

Sundar Pichai faces boos, walkout at Stanford graduation ceremony over Google’s Israel, ICE ties

Sundar Pichai faces boos, walkout at Stanford graduation ceremony over Google’s Israel, ICE ties

Published by skeptic

Over the weekend, Google CEO Sundar Pichai faced a small revolt when he delivered his commencement speech at Stanford University, where he earned his graduate degree in materials science and engineering. About 200 students from the graduating class reportedly walked out, while others loudly booed the tech executive. The focus of the protest was Google’s defense ties — including Project Nimbus, the controversial $1.2 billion contract, shared with Amazon, to provide cloud and AI services to the Israeli military, as well as its relationship with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Student signs included phrases like “ICE SPIES WITH GOOGLE AI” and “GENOCIDE RUNS ON GOOGLE,” as well as “FREE FREE PALESTINE,” a press release associated with the protest notes. Students also waved Palestinian flags and shouted “free Palestine,” online video of the protest shows. “We are walking out because we refuse to glorify the corporations that fuel this violence and exercise our power to choose differently,” a statement associated with the protest reads. The walkout was organized by a number of campus activist …

Google’s Diffusion Gemma Explained: The First Thinking AI Model

Google’s Diffusion Gemma Explained: The First Thinking AI Model

Published by skeptic

Google’s Diffusion Gemma introduces a bold shift in AI language modeling by adopting a diffusion-based architecture that processes tokens in parallel, rather than sequentially. As explained by Prompt Engineering, this design enables the model to generate tokens in fixed 256-token patches, significantly enhancing speed while maintaining contextual understanding. With 26 billion parameters, 4 billion active at any moment, Diffusion Gemma also incorporates an error correction mechanism during token generation, addressing inaccuracies in real time. Released under the Apache 2.0 license, it supports multiple quantization levels, making it adaptable for various hardware configurations, from high-end GPUs like the H100 to more accessible options like the RTX 4090. Decode the practical implications of Diffusion Gemma’s architecture, from its hybrid design that balances speed and depth to its ability to handle large-scale tasks with a 256,000-token context window. You’ll explore its performance trade-offs, such as the balance between speed and accuracy and gain insight into its applications in areas like code generation and structured problem-solving. Whether you’re considering local deployment or integration into existing workflows, this breakdown will …

Gemini Spark Review: Google’s Most Powerful AI Tool Yet

Gemini Spark Review: Google’s Most Powerful AI Tool Yet

Published by skeptic

Google’s experimental AI system, Gemini Spark, introduces advanced automation and personalization features within its ecosystem. According to Skill Leap AI, it is currently available to select Ultra plan users and includes functions such as summarizing email threads, preparing meeting briefs and organizing files across Google Drive. A notable capability is its ability to cross-reference data from Gmail and Google Calendar, allowing actions like creating calendar events based on email content or generating concise summaries of lengthy conversations. Discover how Gemini Spark’s customizable “skills” can be adjusted for tasks like drafting professional documents or managing creative projects. Learn about its privacy controls, which allow users to regulate data access without compromising functionality. Additionally, explore its potential for third-party integrations and upcoming updates designed to enhance its range of applications. Seamless Integration with Google Services TL;DR Key Takeaways : Google has introduced Gemini Spark, an experimental AI tool for Ultra plan users, designed to enhance productivity through automation, personalization and seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem. Gemini Spark integrates deeply with tools like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar …

Google’s DiffusionGemma generates 256 tokens in parallel and self-corrects as it goes

Google’s DiffusionGemma generates 256 tokens in parallel and self-corrects as it goes

Published by skeptic

GenAI image generators like Stable Diffusion do not draw a picture pixel by pixel from left to right. They start with noise and iteratively refine the entire image in parallel until it converges, in a process known as diffusion. For years, applying that same principle to text generation had remained out of reach at scale. Standard language models work like a typewriter: one token at a time, left to right, with no ability to revise a committed output. That pattern works in the cloud, where batch sizes keep GPUs saturated. For local inference or low-concurrency deployments, the GPU is idle most of the time. Google’s DiffusionGemma, released this week, is an open source experimental model that applies diffusion to text generation at production scale. Built on the Gemma 4 backbone and released under the Apache 2.0 license, it is the first diffusion language model natively supported in the open source vLLM inference platform. It generates a 256-token block in parallel rather than sequentially, with every token position attending to every other. Google says DiffusionGemma generates …

Inside Google’s AI training for teachers

Inside Google’s AI training for teachers

Published by Sam Flores

The guidance on overcoming pushback reflects the increasingly hostile public sentiment toward AI as an expanding grassroots movement of parents demands less reliance on computers in schools. In the month before the training, Pope Leo XIV urged more regulations to slow AI adoption, college graduates booed ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt and other commencement speakers when they promoted AI, and one of the country’s largest teachers unions called for limits on AI and screen time in elementary schools. AI is playing a larger role in classrooms: Some states already require schools to provide AI instruction, universities are paying millions to provide chatbots for students, and the federal government is prioritizing AI in education grants. But recent surveys found most teachers have not received guidance on how to use AI in their work. Jennie Magiera, global head of education impact at Google, said in an interview during the training that teachers and students are going to continue using AI more as it advances. She said Google wants to train as many teachers as possible so they can …

Google’s 2026 Display and Audio Smart Glasses First Look

Google’s 2026 Display and Audio Smart Glasses First Look

Published by skeptic

Google’s recent collaboration with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker has introduced a new chapter in wearable technology: smart glasses powered by the Android XR platform and Gemini AI. As demonstrated by Shahram Izadi during a live Google I/O 2026 event, these glasses are designed to merge advanced functionality with everyday usability. For example, the in-lens displays provide glanceable navigation instructions or calendar reminders, while the audio-focused variant enables hands-free communication and real-time updates. This dual-variant approach ensures that the glasses cater to diverse user needs, whether prioritizing visual data or discreet audio interactions. Explore how these smart glasses integrate real-time assistance and cross-platform compatibility to enhance daily routines. You’ll gain insight into the role of Gemini AI in delivering live translation and context-aware notifications, as well as the practical applications of the Android XR platform in dynamic environments. Additionally, discover how partnerships with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker ensure that these devices prioritize both functionality and style, making them a versatile choice for professionals and casual users alike. Android XR Platform: The Core of Smart …

Alphabet’s record-breaking B raise for Google’s AI business is a helluva good signal

Alphabet’s record-breaking $85B raise for Google’s AI business is a helluva good signal

Published by skeptic

If Alphabet’s record-breaking, $85 billion stock sale signals investor appetite for AI-related offerings — and it does — we can safely say that investors are voracious. Google’s parent company had initially intended to sell a first tranche of $40 billion worth of various equity instruments — two different classes of shares, plus smaller “depositary shares” priced to be accessible to a broader range of investors. But the offering was so oversubscribed that it raised $45 billion instead, CEO Sundar Pichai said in a post on X on Monday. Among the buyers: Berkshire Hathaway, still known for its love of value investing, picked up $10 billion worth. Alphabet plans to sell another $40 billion worth its next quarter, for $85 billion total. Even $80 billion would have topped the record for equity offerings previously set by Brazilian oil producer Petroleo Brasileiro SA, which raised $70 billion in 2010, Bloomberg reports. Now, it’s true that these investors are buying shares of Alphabet, not shares in a younger, possibly debt-riddled AI startup. Alphabet is a very healthy business: …

Google’s new open source Gemma 4 12B analyzes audio, video — and runs entirely locally on a typical 16GB enterprise laptop

Google’s new open source Gemma 4 12B analyzes audio, video — and runs entirely locally on a typical 16GB enterprise laptop

Published by skeptic

While many AI open source model providers are pursuing larger and more powerful models, Google is still giving attention to the smaller, more local side of the market. Today, the tech giant released Gemma 4 12B, an 11.95-billion-parameter open-weights model with permissive Apache 2.0 license optimized to execute locally on a standard enterprise laptop using just 16GB of VRAM or unified memory. That means those enterprise users looking to keep working with AI while on a flight without WiFi, or trying to keep it offline for security reasons, can now do so far more easily and at far less cost (free to download and operate). Gemma 4 12B’s most notable breakthrough is an encoder-free “Unified” architecture, which allows raw audio waveforms and visual patches to flow directly into the core LLM backbone without the latency or memory overhead of secondary processing modules. Available immediately for download on Hugging Face and Kaggle and for use on Google AI Edge Gallery, Gemma 4 12B packs a 256K token context window, native agentic tool-use capabilities, and an explicit …

How to Use Gemini Spark: Google’s New AI Task Manager

How to Use Gemini Spark: Google’s New AI Task Manager

Published by skeptic

Google’s Gemini Spark, unveiled at Google I/O 2026, introduces AI-driven capabilities for streamlining task management across multiple platforms. By integrating with services like Google Sheets and Google Slides, it enables workflows with features such as automated scheduling, task prioritization and real-time updates. For example, Gemini Spark can analyze email content to identify actionable tasks, suggest follow-up actions and schedule meetings, while allowing users to adjust settings based on their preferences. Discover how to use Gemini Spark’s cross-device syncing to ensure task consistency between laptops and mobile devices. Learn how to tailor workflows by uploading AI skills or using context-aware suggestions for task organization. Gain insight into applying these features to meet specific personal or professional needs, creating a more structured approach to managing responsibilities. Features of Gemini Spark TL;DR Key Takeaways : Google introduced Gemini Spark, an AI-powered task management tool, at Google I/O 2026, designed to streamline daily responsibilities with cross-device functionality, proactive automation and robust user control. Gemini Spark centralizes task management, automating processes like scheduling, reminders and task prioritization, while integrating seamlessly …

How Google’s 2026 Smart Glasses Integrate With Gemini AI

How Google’s 2026 Smart Glasses Integrate With Gemini AI

Published by skeptic

Google has unveiled its latest smart glasses, emphasizing audio-based AI functionality over visual displays. This design choice allows for a lightweight device aimed at practical, everyday use. The glasses, created in collaboration with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, are available in two frame styles: bold, fashion-forward designs and more understated, professional options. Cas and Chary XR explore how these glasses reflect Google’s focus on accessibility and seamless integration within its ecosystem. Discover how the Gemini AI assistant supports hands-free tasks such as managing schedules and navigating with Google Maps. Learn about the design trade-offs that prioritize comfort and battery life, as well as challenges like pricing and privacy concerns. This breakdown also examines potential future developments, including augmented reality features and their place in Google’s broader wearable technology plans. Design Choices TL;DR Key Takeaways : Google unveiled its first consumer smart glasses at I/O 2026, focusing on audio-based AI functionality over visual displays for a lightweight, practical design. The glasses feature two frame styles, Gentle Monster for bold, modern aesthetics and Warby Parker for classic, …