Google I/O 2026: A Guide to Watching and Anticipating

Google’s highly anticipated annual developer conference, Google I/O, is finally here, promising a plethora of updates across various products infused with artificial intelligence (AI). The keynote is scheduled to commence later today, setting the stage for what attendees can expect.

The event is set to kick off at 10AM PT / 1PM ET on May 19th, featuring a lengthy two-hour keynote presentation. The keynote will be live-streamed on Google’s YouTube channel and the Google I/O site, allowing viewers worldwide to tune in and stay updated on the latest announcements.

For those unable to watch the live stream, tech news outlet The Verge will be providing live coverage of the event through their live blog, ensuring that readers can follow along in real-time.

Gemini, Google’s AI-powered virtual assistant, is poised to take center stage once again at Google I/O. Speculations suggest that updates to Gemini and advancements in AI technology, such as agentic AI features, could be key highlights of this year’s conference. The emergence of tools like Claude Code indicates a growing trend towards agentic AI capabilities, which Google may further explore during the event.

During a recent event, Google teased “Gemini Intelligence,” introducing enhanced AI task automation features and a customizable widget generator. These developments hint at a broader integration of AI across Google’s services, signaling potential enhancements for search functionalities and other offerings.

In addition to AI-related announcements, Google I/O might include updates on Android XR, Google’s extended reality platform. Reports suggest that prototype smart glasses running on Android XR were tested at last year’s event, hinting at a possible showcase of new smart glasses collaborations this year.

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Glasses, expected to run on Android XR, could make an appearance at Google I/O, although rumors suggest a separate launch event in July. These display-free smart glasses, similar to Ray-Ban Meta glasses, could showcase the evolution of wearable technology.

Beyond smart glasses, Google is also expected to provide insights into its Gemini smart home speakers, initially introduced last year. Leaks hint at Walmart’s entry into the smart home speaker market, potentially indicating expanded third-party hardware support within Google’s ecosystem.

Overall, Google I/O promises an exciting showcase of AI innovations, hardware advancements, and potential collaborations in the tech industry. Stay tuned for more updates as the event unfolds.