Google launches Gemini 3.5 Flash and adds AI agents to Search

In short: Google unveiled Gemini 3.5 Flash, a new AI model it says is better at coding and will power new “AI agents” inside Google Search.

What happened

Google announced Gemini 3.5 Flash at its annual I/O event in Mountain View. Google says the model can write and work with computer code more effectively than earlier versions, and it can help run “agents” that complete tasks for you.

An AI agent is like a helper you can give a job to, instead of asking one question at a time (like telling a personal assistant, “Find me a ticket for Friday and book it”). Google said these agents will be available through a redesigned Search box in a web browser. The company said the agents can look across the internet without constant supervision to do things like track news updates, find specific products, and book events.

Google claims Gemini 3.5 Flash performs similarly to coding tools from Anthropic and OpenAI, but runs faster and can cost as little as half as much. It also said a larger “pro” version of Gemini 3.5 will be released next month.

Google also highlighted why it thinks it can lower costs, it builds much of its own computing hardware, including chips, and runs large data centers (warehouses full of computers). Separately, Google said it is cutting the price of its top AI subscription plan by $50 to $200.

Why it matters

More AI features in Search could change how people do everyday tasks online, like shopping, planning, and researching. It also raises new questions for websites and businesses, since AI answers can reduce clicks to original sources.

Source: Financial Times