Is Google Ahead in the AI Race?

Overview

Last week was an exciting one for technology enthusiasts—and, of course, for developers around the world. Why? Microsoft revealed major advancements in AI with deeper integration of Copilot and Azure across its platforms—like Teams, Word, and Azure itself.

Meanwhile, across the globe in Taiwan, Computex 2025 took place. Tech giants such as Nvidia and AMD showcased their latest innovations, most of them centered around AI. It’s becoming increasingly clear: the world is rapidly moving toward full integration of AI across all areas of life and industry.

Another major event was Google I/O, held in Mountain View, California. The nearly two-hour presentation focused heavily on AI and introduced several new products that signal Google's strong commitment to advancing the field.

The AI Landscape: Hardware vs Software

When it comes to hardware, Nvidia—with its CUDA programming model—and AMD are clearly leading the way. But in the software space, I believe three companies are truly shaping the future: OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google.

You might be wondering—what about Apple? At the moment, Apple is lagging behind. While they are working hard to catch up, they haven't yet delivered AI products that match the functionality or impact of their competitors.

Just a few months ago, I wasn't even thinking about Google’s Gemini. Back then, it seemed like a weak attempt to compete with OpenAI. But today, I want to explain why Google might actually be leading the AI race.

Gemini: Google's Multimodal AI Suite

Google has developed a complete suite of multimodal AI—AI that can understand and process text, images, audio, and video—under the name Gemini.

Users can interact with Gemini through the Gemini App, Google AI Studio, and the Gemini API. One thing is clear: Google has achieved an impressive level of integration with its existing software ecosystem, creating a seamless environment that helps users improve performance in almost any task.

Let’s break down the key components:

Gemini App (Chatbot)

The Gemini app functions as an AI assistant capable of:

• Answering general questions

• Creating and reviewing text

• Generating images

• Understanding your environment through the camera

One standout feature is "Live" mode, which allows users to interact with Gemini in a very natural, conversational way. It feels like talking to a real person. The app can even analyze your surroundings through your phone’s camera to identify objects, read text, and understand the context.

How does it compare to ChatGPT?
ChatGPT still has a slight edge in eloquence and suggestion quality. However, the gap is minimal—and the major advantage of Gemini is that it’s free and has unlimited usage, unlike the limited daily access with the free version of ChatGPT.

Gemini for Workspace

Gemini is also integrated into Google’s productivity tools: Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, and Meet. This AI-powered support makes it easier to create high-quality content and streamline work.

Only Microsoft, with Copilot, offers something similar. Apple has attempted to integrate AI into its productivity suite—but so far, the results have been underwhelming. This positions Google and Microsoft as the two main contenders in the productivity AI space.

Google AI Studio

Google AI Studio is a web-based development environment—what Google calls a "playground" for generative AI. It’s designed for developers, researchers, and students to experiment and build applications with Gemini.

Even those with limited technical knowledge can:

• Write code with ease

• Generate videos from simple text prompts

• Convert text into natural conversations between characters

This tool empowers regular users to create content that looks and feels professional.

Veo – AI Video Generation

Let’s not forget Veo, Google’s platform for AI-generated video. It is currently one of the most advanced solutions available—arguably surpassing OpenAI’s Sora in terms of visual content quality and coherence.

Conclusion

Google may very well be leading the AI race at this moment. Its AI models are delivering high-level results, and it is the only company offering a complete AI ecosystem for consumers—from productivity software and chatbots to developer tools and creative platforms.

That said, this race is just beginning. Microsoft—and eventually Apple—still have a lot to contribute. Many are waiting to see how Apple responds, and whether it can bring something revolutionary to the table.

One thing is certain: since the mass adoption of the internet, we haven’t seen such a transformative shift in computing. AI is not just changing markets and business—it’s changing how we live, work, and interact with technology.

For those of us who love innovation, these are truly exciting times.