Google I/O just showed me how to live the laziest life through AI
The dirty secret of Google Gemini (and probably all AI) is that it was built for lazy people like me. During the Google I/O keynote on Tuesday, Google spent hours showing us how Gemini and its technologies could catch up for us — or, more specifically, for me, the laziest person you’ll ever meet.
I know what you’re thinking: “No, no, Lance, you seem like a really hard-working guy.” It is a lie. I’ve spent my decades-long career finding shortcuts – and AI is my white whale. Instead of sailing off to an uncertain fate on a giant ship, Google has handed me the whale…er…AI on a scale the size of a typical smartphone.
In Google’s development vision, there are so many things that I no longer have to do for myself. This is laziness nirvana.
I can not remember
Google Ask Photos reads license plate numbers from the photo library#GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/ElSEQHrvVwMay 14, 2024
It starts simple. If I don’t want to remember my license plate (because why would I?), Google’s new AskPhotos feature can look through your massive photo library and use AI to identify your license plate for you. Walking to the back of my car and checking the license plate (or maybe just looking out the window at the car parked in my driveway) is a lot more energetic for people than I am.
Sending it
I could really use this Gemini email digest. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/Jz1cDcEOszMay 14, 2024
Around 2011, I realized I had too much email to ever read, let alone understand. So much remains unread because I’m too lazy to go through it. My buddy Google Gemini slides next to me, gives me a nudge and a grin, and promises to read it, summarize it, and create responses. This is the email of my lazy dreams.
Holiday from travel planning
New trip planning experience in Gemini Advanced. RIP Travel agents#GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/kjagB5ODihMay 14, 2024
As I write this, I am about to go on vacation. I hate planning vacations. I find it annoying and confusing, and I’m too lazy to get it done (my wife is the exact opposite). Gemini lets you tell it where you want to go, along with a few other details that I may or may not have, and then it puts together a shockingly complete itinerary (in a related vein, Gemini seems ready to take on an equally challenging move to for example a new state).
Problem solved – but not by you
Circle to search to solve problems. Now only available on Android.#GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/oRM7wpqnMwMay 14, 2024
I always tried to help my kids with their math problems, but it usually failed, mainly because I was learning “old math” and they were learning “new math.” Google’s new Circle to Search for text problems, including math and formulas, would have sent my lazy psyche into a blissful state of incompetence. If my kids saw me doing this, simply circling what I don’t understand, they might have assumed I was being super helpful instead of what I am: super lazy.
The photo of… whatever
Google unveils Imagine 3 image generation AI. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/mztGpmFPuoMay 14, 2024
I’m an artist.” I put it in quotes because my drawing skills are just above average. Worse, when faced with a drawing task, I often fight the impulse not to start at all. That’s not just laziness, it’s avoiding potential disappointment because I couldn’t create the thing. Google’s latest image model, Imagine 3, is so good that I realize there’s no point in creating something I could never do as well as a wolf, a wooden owl , a yarn elephant or people can draw enjoying the golden hour sun. Turn on “Lazy mode” and put down the pen.
Don’t make movies
It looks like Donald Glover used Veo before you. This follows. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/xaq104n7OcMay 14, 2024
Hello, my name is Lance and I am a TikToker. For some reason I can’t explain, Ny Breaking lets me record TikTok videos and post them to his channel. Imagine grandpa explaining technology, and you get the idea. It’s a lot of work and sometimes I prefer to visit the snack bins in our kitchen. Google’s Veo video model looks every bit as powerful as OpenAI’s Sora. I bet with a little training it could create the TikToks for me and possibly include an AI-generated person who vaguely resembles me (a thumb with glasses would suffice). Oooooh, Cheetos.
Examine dumpster
This one is a bit dangerous. Google has shown how you can pour all your research into Gemini, and at least an outline will come out. You know that reporting, which is hard work by the way, is all research, right? Keep this lazy instrument away from me.
Job point
AI virtual teammates, who you can even give horrible names like ‘Chip’. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/qKXB6MZtjfMay 14, 2024
We recently hired a new guy. It was a lot of work. Yes, worth it, but I could do without the work part. I had no idea that Google would let me create a virtual teammate, one that I can even name. He, she or they can hang out in our chat rooms and work together like a real colleague. Gosh, this is so easy.
Googling laziness
The key message here. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/STcmfkJWOyMay 14, 2024
One of the big, overarching messages of Google I/O was to let Google do the Googling for you. In other words, if you need to perform a search, even if it has multiple parts, you don’t have to put much effort into it.
Don’t tell Google, but I’m already doing this. I’m usually too lazy to carefully parse my prompt, so I type what’s on my mind into the search field and leave it to the search engine to figure it out.
It looks like Google read my lazy brain and just turned the proactive search capabilities up to 11. I mean, they actually own the phrase, “Google will do the Googling for you.” Music for my lazy heart.
Does not calculate
This looks very powerful. Project Astra. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/M7nhloMt8kMay 14, 2024
I’ve done my share of tinkering and troubleshooting, and it doesn’t always go well. What if I didn’t? Google Project Astra is so cheerful and proactive. All I have to do is film something and ask Google, “What the heck is wrong with it?” and take a nap while he spits out the answer.
An extension of this is Google Gemini’s growing ability to explain everything I look at. Why spend the mental energy interpreting the images my eyes send to my brain? My Pixel 8 Pro has a ‘brain’. I leave it and Gemini does it.
It seems there are no limits to what Google and its powerful AIs will do for you. If I want to find a bank and park myself there for a day or more, Google’s upcoming AI agents will be there to reason, plan, remember, and think steps ahead. These little bits of AI are for you – or rather for me.
I would like to share more, but laziness.
I’d like to hear him say: AI agents are the ultimate tool for lazy people. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/hfIMwbRTvSMay 14, 2024