For more than two decades, Google has been investing heavily in machine learning and artificial intelligence—building the research, tools, and infrastructure behind products used by billions. Across teams, that work is focused on applying AI in meaningful ways, from healthcare and crisis response to education and everyday productivity.
To make it easier to follow what’s new, we’re sharing regular highlights of our latest AI updates. Here’s a refreshed look at the key announcements we made in January.
Contents
- 1 The big picture: AI enters the era of Personal Intelligence
- 2 Making the digital world more personal and more helpful
- 3 AI designed to personalize learning and education
- 4 Making complex information easier to explore
- 5 Giving developers a smarter vision model
- 6 Helping creators bring ideas to life
- 7 Supporting retailers through the AI platform shift
The big picture: AI enters the era of Personal Intelligence
January marked a major shift toward what we call Personal Intelligence. The goal is to make products like Search, Chrome, and the Gemini app more proactive and context-aware than ever before.
From Chrome’s new “auto browse” feature handling multi-step tasks on your behalf to Gmail surfacing what truly matters in your inbox, these updates focus on anticipating needs rather than reacting to them. At the center of it all is the continued evolution of Gemini to better support how people actually work and live.
Making the digital world more personal and more helpful
We introduced Personal Intelligence inside the Gemini app, allowing users to securely connect services like Gmail, Google Photos, YouTube, and Search. This opt-in beta—currently available in the U.S.—lets Gemini tailor responses based on your own content and preferences, with full control over which apps it can access.
Personal Intelligence also arrived in AI Mode in Search. Starting with Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, users can connect apps such as Gmail and Google Photos to receive more customized recommendations for areas like shopping and travel.
Email saw major upgrades too. Gmail now includes Gemini-powered features like Help me write, AI Overviews, and personalized suggested replies at no cost. Pro and Ultra subscribers gain access to advanced tools such as AI-powered search summaries and Proofread for deeper grammar, tone, and style checks. Select testers also got an early look at AI Inbox, a new view designed to cut through inbox clutter and highlight what matters most.
Meanwhile, Chrome received a major intelligence boost with Gemini 3. Auto browse can now complete complex tasks end-to-end, Nano Banana enables on-the-fly image transformations across the web, and a redesigned side panel keeps key Google apps within easy reach—turning Chrome into a true productivity hub.
AI designed to personalize learning and education
At the British Educational Training and Technology conference in London, we announced new education-focused partnerships. Collaborations with Khan Academy and Oxford University are bringing Gemini and NotebookLM to students and faculty, alongside literacy tools powered by Gemini. Updates also rolled out to Google Classroom and ChromeOS, including new security and AI detection features for educational institutions.
The Gemini app gained new practice tests through partnerships with the Princeton Review, Careers360, and Physics Wallah. Students can now access full-length SAT and JEE Main prep exams, receive instant feedback, and ask Gemini to explain answers or build custom study plans.
We also expanded access to premium AI tools by making select Gemini features available at no additional cost in Google Workspace for Education core editions. Alongside this, Google Workspace Studio launched as a core service, enabling educators to design and share AI agents more easily.
Making complex information easier to explore
Search continues to evolve to handle increasingly complex questions. Gemini 3 is now the default model for AI Overviews worldwide, delivering high-quality AI responses directly within search results when helpful. Users can also ask follow-up questions straight from an overview and shift into a conversational flow using AI Mode.
Giving developers a smarter vision model
We introduced Agentic Vision in Gemini 3 Flash. Unlike traditional vision models that analyze a single static image, Agentic Vision allows the model to actively “explore” visual details, reducing guesswork and improving accuracy. This approach significantly boosts performance across vision benchmarks and is available via the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, with rollout underway in the Gemini app.
Helping creators bring ideas to life
Updates to Veo 3.1 give creators more control, consistency, and creative flexibility. The latest version supports richer dialogue, native vertical video for platforms like YouTube Shorts, and upscaling to 1080p or 4K resolution—making it easier to produce high-quality, mobile-first content.
At the Sundance Film Festival, we previewed Dear Upstairs Neighbors, a short film created by a Google DeepMind team using AI-driven animation techniques. The film blends abstract expressionism with video-to-video generation to tell a uniquely modern story.
We also opened access to Project Genie, powered by Genie 3. This experimental AI world model is now available to Google AI Ultra subscribers (18+) in the U.S., enabling users to create, remix, and explore interactive digital worlds in entirely new ways.
In the Google Arts & Culture app, we launched two experimental travel features. City Guides curate landmarks and live events based on your interests and timing, while Comic Postcards use generative AI to place you inside illustrated travel stories.
Supporting retailers through the AI platform shift
At the National Retail Federation 2026 event, CEO Sundar Pichai outlined how AI is reshaping retail. He introduced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard designed to support seamless, agent-driven shopping journeys—from discovery to checkout—directly within AI Mode in Search and the Gemini app.
Alongside the launch of Gemini Enterprise, it was also announced that Wing and Walmart are expanding drone delivery services to reach more than 40 million people in the U.S. As Sundar noted, the aim is to build a retail future where opportunity grows for everyone.
January’s announcements reflect a clear direction: AI that’s more personal, more proactive, and more deeply woven into how people learn, create, explore, and do business.