Google Cloud Next 25 | Ten takeaways reshaping the tech landscape

Las Vegas crackled with innovation as Google Cloud unveiled a barrage of advancements at its annual Next conference. From next-generation silicon to groundbreaking AI models and data tools, the keynote laid bare a future where cloud computing is faster, smarter, and more deeply integrated into the fabric of enterprise.
Here are the top 10 key takeaways you need to know:

1. Ironwood forges ahead: Google's next-gen TPU unleashed

Google is doubling down on custom silicon, announcing its seventh-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), dubbed Ironwood. This powerhouse chip promises a staggering 3600 times better performance than its first publicly available TPU. Set to arrive later this year, Ironwood pods will deliver an astonishing 42.5 exaflops of compute power per pod, dwarfing even the world's leading supercomputer. This colossal leap in processing prowess underscores Google's commitment to fuelling the insatiable demands of advanced AI workloads.

2. Gemini 2.5 Pro takes the AI crown

The keynote heralded the arrival of Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google's most intelligent AI model to date, currently sitting atop the ChatbotArena leaderboard. This thinking model boasts advanced reasoning capabilities and is now available in AI studio, Vertex AI, and the Gemini app. Developers and businesses can now tap into this state-of-the-art intelligence for a wide array of applications, from complex code generation to sophisticated physics simulations.

3. Gemini 2.5 Flash promises speed and efficiency

Not content with sheer power, Google also unveiled Gemini 2.5 Flash, a low-latency and cost-efficient model with thinking built-in. Coming soon to AI Studio, Vertex AI, and the Gemini app, Flash will allow users to balance reasoning capabilities with budget considerations. This addition broadens the Gemini family, offering a tailored solution for applications demanding rapid responses without breaking the bank.

4. Vertex AI: the epicentre of enterprise AI development

Google's Vertex AI platform continues its rapid growth, witnessing a 20-fold increase in usage driven by the adoption of Gemini models. It now provides access to over 200 curated foundation models in the Model Garden, encompassing Google's own innovations (Gemini, Veo, Imagen) alongside popular third-party and open-source options like Meta's Llama 4 and AI2's models. New dashboards and tuning methods further empower developers to monitor and optimise their AI applications.

5. Data grounding: ensuring AI factuality and trust

Addressing the critical need for trustworthy AI, Google is offering the most comprehensive approach to grounding model responses. Vertex AI can now ground AI outputs using Google Search, proprietary enterprise data, Google Maps, and a variety of third-party sources. This multi-faceted approach aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of AI-driven insights.

6. Cloud WAN: Google's network muscle flexed for enterprises

Enterprises can now leverage Google's unparalleled global private network with the introduction of Cloud Wide Area Network (WAN). This new service promises over 40% faster performance and up to 40% lower total cost of ownership. Companies like Citadel Securities and Nestle are already benefiting from this enhanced network infrastructure, which will become available to all Google Cloud customers later this month.

7. Multi-Agent systems take centre stage with Vertex AI and Agentspace

Google is simplifying the development and deployment of sophisticated AI systems with the introduction of the Agent Development Kit, an open-source framework for building multi-agent systems. Furthermore, Google Agentspace aims to put AI agents in the hands of every employee, enabling them to find and synthesise information, converse with agents, and automate tasks within their enterprise applications. This platform integrates with Chrome, allowing direct access to enterprise data via the search bar.

8. Data democratisation through AI-powered data agents in BigQuery

For data teams, Google unveiled specialised AI agents within BigQuery tailored for data engineers, data scientists, and data analysts. These agents promise to automate tasks across the data lifecycle, from pipeline generation to predictive modelling, all accessible through natural language. Demonstrations showcased the power of these agents in streamlining complex data analysis and forecasting.

9. Unified security: a converged approach to cyber defence

Google is consolidating its security offerings into Google Unified Security, a converged solution integrating visibility, threat detection, AI-powered security operations, virtual red teaming, the Chrome browser, and Mandiant expertise. This unified platform aims to provide proactive protection across diverse environments. Adding to this security push, Google announced its agreement to acquire Wiz, a leading multi-cloud security platform.

10. Gemini extends its reach across Google products and beyond

The power of Gemini is now embedded across all 15 of Google's products with half a billion users, including seven with a staggering 2 billion users each. Furthermore, Gemini is now included in all Google Workspace subscriptions, powering new features like "Help Me analyse" in Sheets, audio overviews in Docs, and Workspace Flows for automation. The reach of Gemini extends beyond Google's own ecosystem, with partners like Samsung utilising it in their AI companion robots.

The Google Cloud Next 25 keynote

The Google Cloud Next 25 keynote painted a vivid picture of a technology landscape being fundamentally reshaped by advancements in AI, underpinned by a robust and ever-evolving infrastructure. With powerful new TPUs, cutting-edge AI models, and intelligent data tools now within reach, enterprises have a potent arsenal at their disposal to drive innovation and transformation.