Google Cloud Next ’26 Recap: Welcome to the era of agents

2026-05-05 · Source: AI on Medium · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cloud Computing & IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy · Depth: Intermediate, medium

Summary

Google Cloud Next '26 showcased significant advancements in AI, marking the "age of agents" where AI acts as an autonomous partner. Key announcements included the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, a workbench for building and scaling AI agents, offering access to Gemini 3.1 Pro, Gemini 3.1 Flash Image (Nano Banana 2), Lyria 3, and Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.7. The Gemini Enterprise app introduces a no-code Agent Designer and long-running agents for complex workflows, managed via an Agent Inbox. New eighth-generation TPUs (8t for training, 8i for inference with 80% more performance per dollar) and NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL72 systems were unveiled, supported by the Virgo Network and Managed Lustre storage. The Agentic Data Cloud, featuring Knowledge Catalog and Cross-Cloud Lakehouse, aims to organize data for real-time AI action. Security was enhanced with agentic defense through a Google-Wiz partnership, and Workspace Intelligence integrates agents into collaboration tools like Docs and Gmail. Enterprises like The Depot, Papa John's, Mars, Citadel Securities, and Unilever are already deploying these AI solutions.

Key takeaway

For CTOs and VP of Engineering evaluating AI integration, Google Cloud's "age of agents" signals a shift towards autonomous AI. Your teams should explore the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform and its low-code/no-code tools to rapidly deploy custom agents, leveraging the new TPU 8i for cost-effective inference. Prioritize integrating the Agentic Data Cloud to ensure your data infrastructure supports real-time AI actions and agentic defense for enhanced security.

Key insights

AI agents are transforming work by autonomously performing tasks at scale, supported by new platforms and infrastructure.

Principles

• AI agents require robust platforms for creation and management.
• Data organization is critical for effective AI agent performance.
• Specialized hardware accelerates AI training and inference.

Method

The Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform provides a workbench, Agent Studio (low-code), and Agent Designer (no-code) for creating, managing, and scaling AI agents using models like Gemini 3.1 Pro and Claude Opus 4.7.

In practice

• Use Agent Studio for low-code agent development.
• Deploy long-running agents for background business processes.
• Monitor agent activities via the Agent Inbox.

Topics

• AI Agents
• Gemini Enterprise Platform
• AI Hypercomputer
• Agentic Data Cloud
• Agentic Defense

Best for: CTO, VP of Engineering/Data, Machine Learning Engineer, Director of AI/ML, AI Engineer, Consultant

Related on AIssential

• 7 highlights from Google Cloud Next ‘26 — Google Cloud is transitioning to an "agentic era" with new platforms, infrastructure, and tools for autonomous AI.
• Google Cloud Next ‘26 — Agentic enterprise transformation is accelerating, driven by Google Cloud's AI platforms and infrastructure.
• IBM and Google Cloud Announce Strategic Partnership to Scale AI with Human Expertise and AI‑Powered Delivery — IBM and Google Cloud partner to scale enterprise AI and modernize systems via a new practice and Gemini-optimized agents.
• The modern data stack was built for humans asking questions. Google just rebuilt its for agents taking action. — Google's Agentic Data Cloud shifts data architecture from human-scale reporting to autonomous AI agent action.
• Lovable and Google expand multiyear AI and cloud collaboration — Google is expanding its cloud and AI ecosystem through strategic partnerships and marketplace integration to attract enterprise customers.
• Managing AI Agents at Scale with Google Cloud's Riyaz Habibbhai — Google Cloud's AI strategy focuses on an integrated, open, and simplified full-stack platform, evolving Vertex AI into the Gemini enterprise agent platform.

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by AI on Medium.