Is Google Coming After OpenClaw?

Google’s new AI strategy feels less like a chatbot update... and more like an operating system.

Adam here! 👋 I travelled over for Google I/O this week and after seeing the demos live, joining the hands-on workshops and hearing how creators are actually using these tools…

One thing became very clear: Google is no longer treating Gemini like a chatbot.

They’re turning it into an AI agent layer across Search, Gmail, Docs, Shopping, Android and Workspace.

Some of what they showed feels very close to where tools like OpenClaw are heading.

WHAT’S ROLLING OUT GLOBALLY
Gemini 3.5 Flash & Omni

Faster models + multimodal AI

Instagram Reel

Google announced Gemini 3.5 Flash and Gemini Omni, their latest generation of AI models.

The focus is clearly shifting toward:

  • faster responses

  • multimodal understanding

  • agentic workflows

  • AI that can work across text, video and apps

These models are rolling out globally to AI Plus, Pro and Ultra subscribers.

Project Genie

Google’s advanced AI workspace

Google also expanded access to Project Genie, an experimental AI system for generating explorable environments and simulations.

Neural Expressive

A major Gemini redesign

Google is rolling out a massive visual redesign and UI overhaul for the Gemini app.

The experience now feels much more conversational, assistant-driven and personalised.

Search Box & Personal Intelligence

Search becomes more agentic

Instagram Reel

Google’s reimagined Search experience and Personal Intelligence features are expanding globally.

The demos showed Search evolving from “finding information” into something much more proactive and task-oriented.

Universal Cart (Shopping)

AI-powered shopping assistance

Google previewed Universal Cart, its new AI powered shopping and checkout experience.

This creates a much more intelligent checkout and shopping experience that can:

  • monitor products

  • detect compatibility issues

  • assist with purchases

  • work in the background for you

Google says this is officially expanding to Australia in the coming months.

Docs Live

AI as your co-writer

Docs Live adds conversational voice capabilities directly into Google Workspace.

Google demonstrated people verbally brain dumping ideas while Gemini:

  • structured documents

  • pulled information from Gmail and Drive

  • created talking points

  • acted as a thought partner in real time

Rolling out in English to AI Pro and Ultra subscribers this summer (US time).

WHAT’S LAUNCHING US-FIRST
Gemini Spark

Google’s 24/7 AI agent

Instagram Reel

This was probably the biggest announcement from the keynote.

Gemini Spark is a persistent AI agent that runs continuously in the background on Google Cloud.

Google showed Spark:

  • managing RSVP lists

  • updating spreadsheets

  • organising tasks

  • following up with people automatically

  • working across Gmail, Docs and Calendar

The important shift here is this:

The AI keeps working even after you close the app.

Daily Brief

A personalised AI morning digest

Daily Brief creates an AI-generated overview of:

  • your inbox

  • calendar

  • tasks

  • documents

Then surfaces the things Gemini thinks matter most.

Launching US-first alongside Spark.

Agentic Search Features

AI-generated tools inside Search

Google also previewed:

  • AI booking capabilities

  • long-running research agents

  • AI-generated mini apps directly inside Search

One demo showed Search automatically creating a live biotech stock tracker that continuously monitored updates in the background.

This feels much closer to delegated work than traditional search.

AI powered Gmail inbox features

Inbox prioritisation + AI actions

Google is also launching new AI inbox capabilities for Gmail.

The new features focus on:

  • prioritising important emails

  • surfacing actions

  • helping manage inbox workflows automatically

Starting in the US for AI Plus and Pro subscribers.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!

Last year, AI products mostly helped people generate content.

This year feels different.

The race is now shifting toward:

Who builds the AI layer that actually works on your behalf.

And after seeing Google I/O live…

It’s clear Google wants Gemini embedded into every part of your digital life.