Google is entering a new phase in AI development, marking the start of its “agentic era.”
Recently, the company showcased two groundbreaking AI projects from its DeepMind lab: Project Astra and Project Mariner.
Project Astra, a virtual assistant first demoed at Google I/O, is an advanced AI that can process text, images, videos, and audio in real-time.
It’s like a more natural version of Siri or Alexa, capable of remembering past interactions and responding intelligently to complex queries.
Currently available in an app, it’s expanding its testing to more users, with a prototype that includes smart glasses.
In addition to Project Astra, Google introduced Project Mariner, an AI agent that can take control of your browser using a Chrome extension.
Although still in early testing with a select group of users, Mariner promises to automate tasks directly within your browser.
Both projects have made significant progress. Project Astra has been updated with better understanding of accents, more memory, and faster responses.
It’s also integrated with Google products like Search, Lens, and Maps. While these systems are still prototypes, Google is gathering feedback to improve them before they are released to the public.
However, Google has not yet revealed a release date for these AI tools. As the testing continues, the company’s vision for the future of AI is becoming clearer, but it remains uncertain when these innovations will reach consumers.
