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Google Cloud Next 25: The New Way to Cloud - EXC Talk

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Google Cloud Next 25: The New Way to Cloud - EXC Talk
Google Cloud Next 25 event - EXC Talk

Listen to our EXC Insights Talk episode summarizing the announcement, launches and highlights of the Google Cloud Next 25 held on April 9th.

This a easy and friendly format to get up to date, these are the topics covered:

I. Foundational Infrastructure & Hardware (The Base Layer)

  • Massive Investment ($75B CapEx Plan for 2025)
  • Cloud WAN (Wide Area Network)
  • AI Silicon (Powering Intelligence)
  • Infrastructure Management & Storage
  • Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) Local for Gemini

II. AI Models & Intelligence Layer (Gemini & Beyond)

  • Significant Adoption & Integration
  • Gemini 2.5 Pro (The "Thinking" Model)
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash (Coming Soon)
  • Gemini Powering Google Products:

III. Workspace AI Features (Practical Productivity)

  • Help me analyze (Sheets): Guides data analysis, easier insights.
  • Audio overviews (Docs): Alternative content consumption (hands-free).
  • Workspace Flows: Automates repetitive tasks.
  • Benefit: Practical productivity boosters, freeing up employees for higher-value work.
  • Proof: Used by Rivian, Schwarz Group.

IV. Generative Media (Creative Tools)

  • Updates: Imagen 3 (Image), Chirp 3 (Voice), Lyria (Music) now on GCP.
  • VEO 2 (Video Generation)
    • Features: 4K quality, SynthID watermarking (responsible AI), camera presets, editing tools.
    • Benefit: Faster, more customized, high-quality video creation for marketing, demos, training.
    • Implication: Potential game-changer for content creation workflows.
  • Adoption: Kraft Heinz, L'Oréal using these models.

V. Developer Platform & Tools (Vertex AI - Building with AI)

  • Central Hub: Access >200 foundation models (Google's, 3rd party like Llama 4, AI2, open source).
  • Enhanced Tooling: New dashboards, tuning methods for optimization.
  • Lifecycle Management: Tools for building, deploying, managing AI models effectively.
  • Key Integrations:
    • NetApp: Build agents directly on NetApp storage (no data copying). Benefit: Reduces data silos/duplication.
    • Enterprise Apps: Connectors for Oracle, SAP, ServiceNow, Workday. Benefit: AI agents interact with core business systems.
  • Grounding: Using Google Search, Enterprise Data, Maps to make AI outputs more factual and trustworthy. Benefit: Reduces hallucinations, increases reliability.
  • Wide Adoption: Tens of thousands of customers (Nokia, Wayfair, Commerzbank, Honeywell). Signal: Mature enterprise platform.

VI. AI Agents (Action & Automation)

  • Agent Development Kit (ADK): Open-source framework to build complex, multi-agent systems (collaboration).
  • Agent Space: Central platform for employees.
    • Functions: Find info (search), talk to AI agents, agents take action in enterprise apps.
    • Benefit: Actively brings AI capabilities into the employee workflow.
    • Adoption: KPMG, Wells Fargo.
  • Agent Categories & Examples (Real-world Use):
    • Customer: Reddit, Lowe's, Verizon, Wendy's, Home Depot.
    • Creative: Wizard of Oz (Sphere), WPP, Mondelez.
    • Employee: Mattel, Spotify, Unilever, Bayer.
    • Coding: Gemini Code Assist (Ampere, Broadcom, PayPal, Wipro), new code modernization agents.
  • Chrome Browser Integration: Seamless access within the browser. Benefit: Easier adoption.
  • Pre-built Agents (NotebookLM, Idea Generator): Offer immediate value out-of-the-box.

VII. Security (Trust & Protection)

  • AI-powered Security Agents (within Unified Security): For malware analysis, alert triage. Benefit: Speeds up security operations.
  • Google Unified Security Platform: Converges Threat Intel, SecOps, Mandiant expertise, Chrome security. Benefit: More holistic security approach.
  • Wiz Acquisition (Planned): Significance: Major move to bolster multi-cloud security capabilities. Crucial for businesses across multiple clouds.
  • High-Profile Adoption: Charles Schwab, Vodafone, Singapore Gov. Signal: Trust in Google's security offerings.

VIII. Overarching Themes & Strategy

  • Deep, Pervasive AI Integration: AI isn't separate; it's woven into the fabric of the cloud platform.
  • Customer Success Stories as Proof: Emphasis on real-world impact (efficiency, CX, innovation, cost savings) via examples like McDonald's, Intuit, Deutsche Bank, Salesforce. Signal: Technology delivering tangible business value now.
  • Openness & Multi-Cloud Approach: Acknowledging enterprise reality. Integration with AWS/Azure, ISV marketplace, partner ecosystem, Sovereign Clouds. Benefit: Flexibility, choice, meeting regulatory needs.
  • Focus on Actionable Intelligence: Moving beyond headlines to practical implications for businesses.

IX. Key Questions for Business Leaders

  • Which announcements/capabilities stand out as most relevant opportunities or challenges for *your* business?
  • How do these new tools align with your company's strategic goals?
  • Where could you start experimenting (e.g., Workspace AI, specific agents, Vertex AI)?
  • How will your organization proactively adapt and leverage these AI capabilities for transformation, innovation, and competitive advantage (moving beyond simple adoption)?

Enjoy and let us know your feedback down in the comments.

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Google Cloud Next 25 The New Way to Cloud with AI - EXC Talk
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