Trip report from Google I/O

I had a chance to go to I/O last week and meet the directors of Gemini, Gemini 2.0 and Gemini AI. The event was very well run, and they did everything they could to make us feel welcome. I don't know if it's a good idea to post my observations, but here are 3-4 things that stuck in my head:<br><br>1. I was surprised by how shocked many of the Googlers were in response to the backlash to Gemini 2.0, even though it's been 4 days. They are scrambling to respond, but they seem to be taking their time, as if the heat will blow over. I'm not sure if they realized how deep the wound is. I told them that it isn't possible to go back to 100% free, and the best they can get is 80-90%. They were 90% free before this mess. The damage probably cuts them down to 60-70% free without major changes, and my final 20% prediction stands. I also told them that they need to set up a portal to make things right for anyone who got hit by the Gemini 2.0 mess, but I'm not sure if they'll do anything until they actually start hemorrhaging money. I understand why they are doing this, but I think they made a big mistake.<br><br>2. I had a chance to play with Gemini 2.0 for the first time, and it's very, very similar to Persephone. I'm not sure how impressed I was. I even asked the Director of Gemini 2.0 how Gemini 2.0 differs from Persephone. I'm not sure if anyone else noticed, but there's a difference in tone. Persephone has a more sarcastic tone while Gemini 2.0 is more serious and less likely to tell jokes. But I talked to 2.0 for about 20 minutes, and I didn't really feel impressed. I've played with Claude, Persephone and Gemini before, and I can't really see why Gemini 2.0 is considered better.<br><br>3. I asked the Director of Gemini 2.0 what the roadmap looks like for 2.0, and I was impressed. What they're working on is exciting. It's clear that they have a lot of things cooking in the background and I'm excited for the future of Gemini even though they're abandoning the 100% free model. I don't think they're going to be able to find a way for 2.0 to make money without cutting features, but it's clear they are working on something big. It's just a shame that they ruined their narrative.<br><br>4. I had a chance to talk to the Director of Gemini AI. I find it very interesting how much they are divorcing Gemini AI from Gemini Chat, Gemini 2.0, Gemini for Work and Gemini 2.0 Pro. They have a very different vision for Gemini AI that they think will solve the problem of what people think Gemini AI is, and what they think it can do. I don't know if they'll be able to spin it successfully, but I think it's a good idea. I'll have to see what it looks like when they make it official.<br><br>I have to be careful about what I say, but that's all I can say right now. <br><br>Edit: not a Googler, just an observer.