7 highlights from Google Cloud Next ‘26

2026-04-24 · Source: The Keyword · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cloud Computing & IT Infrastructure, Robotics & Autonomous Systems · Depth: Intermediate, medium

Summary

Google Cloud Next '26 introduced significant advancements in AI, emphasizing the "agentic era" where AI acts as an autonomous partner. Key announcements include the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, an end-to-end workspace for building, governing, and scaling AI agents using models like Gemini 3.1 Pro, Gemini 3.1 Flash Image (Nano Banana 2), and Lyria 3, alongside Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.7. The platform features Agent Studio for low-code agent development and the Gemini Enterprise app with a no-code Agent Designer for custom workflows. Google also unveiled its eighth-generation TPUs (TPU 8t for training, TPU 8i for inference with 80% better performance per dollar), NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL72 systems, and the Virgo Network for high-speed data transfer. The Agentic Data Cloud, with its Knowledge Catalog and Cross-Cloud Lakehouse (standardized on Apache Iceberg), enables real-time data action. Security enhancements include a partnership with Wiz for agentic defense and Workspace Intelligence for improved collaboration.

Key takeaway

For CTOs and VP of Engineering evaluating AI adoption, Google Cloud's "agentic era" offerings provide a comprehensive ecosystem for deploying autonomous AI. You should explore the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform and its low-code Agent Studio to rapidly develop and manage AI agents, leveraging the new TPU 8i for cost-effective inference. Consider integrating the Agentic Data Cloud to enable real-time data action and enhance security with the Google Cloud-Wiz partnership for agentic defense.

Key insights

Google Cloud is transitioning to an "agentic era" with new platforms, infrastructure, and tools for autonomous AI.

Principles

• AI agents can perform work autonomously and safely.
• Low-code/no-code tools democratize AI agent creation.
• Optimized infrastructure is critical for AI at scale.

Method

Build, govern, and scale AI agents using the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, leveraging models like Gemini 3.1 Pro and Agent Studio's low-code interface for complex workflows.

In practice

• Use Agent Studio to build custom AI agents.
• Deploy long-running agents for background business processes.
• Integrate Cross-Cloud Lakehouse for multi-cloud data querying.

Topics

• Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform
• AI Agents
• Eighth-generation TPUs
• Agentic Data Cloud
• Cloud Security

Best for: CTO, VP of Engineering/Data, MLOps Engineer, Director of AI/ML, AI Architect, Consultant

Related on AIssential

• Cloud Next: Develop and Defend AI Agents with Google Cloud — Google Cloud is rapidly scaling its AI infrastructure and tools to support the development and defense of enterprise AI agents.
• Google Cloud sees its marketplace as the launchpad for the agentic enterprise — The agentic enterprise, driven by autonomous AI, represents a fundamental economic and organizational rewiring.
• Cloud Next ‘26: Momentum and innovation at Google scale — Google Cloud is rapidly scaling its AI infrastructure and agent management capabilities.
• How Google just revamped Gemini Enterprise for the agentic era - here's what's new — Google's new Agent Platform streamlines secure, end-to-end agent development and deployment for enterprise AI workflows.
• 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.
• An Interview with Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian About the Agentic Moment — Google Cloud is advancing enterprise AI through agent-based automation, integrated infrastructure, and a multi-cloud data strategy.

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by The Keyword.