Google Embraces AI and Pop Culture at Made by Google Event

At the recent Made by Google event, Rick Osterloh, Google's Senior Vice President of Platforms and Devices, declared the beginning of the "Gemini era," emphasizing the company's commitment to artificial intelligence. The event showcased the capabilities of the Gemini AI model, with a focus on its integration into various features and devices. However, the presentation also revealed Google's attempt to connect with a younger audience through pop culture references and celebrity appearances. The event featured live demonstrations, including a somewhat shaky presentation where presenter Alexander Schiffhauer used Gemini to check Sabrina Carpenter's tour dates. The Gemini Call Notes feature was also highlighted, with Schiffhauer humorously contemplating a trendy haircut. Keke Palmer made a brief appearance to promote her new book and an after-party, while NBA star Jimmy Butler showcased the Gemini feature called Add Me. These moments aimed to inject a sense of fun and relatability into the tech showcase. Despite the playful tone, some features presented were not particularly innovative, leading to mixed reactions from attendees. While the pop culture references were amusing to some, they felt forced and awkward to others, particularly for those in the journalism field. Nonetheless, Google shifted its tone when discussing more serious topics, such as the Loss of Pulse Detection feature on the Pixel Watch 3. In summary, the Made by Google event highlighted Google's efforts to blend technology with contemporary culture, showcasing the Gemini AI while navigating the fine line between being trendy and maintaining credibility in the tech space.