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's designed for lazy people like me. At the Google I/O keynote on Tuesday, Google spent hours showing us the countless ways Gemini and its associated technologies could pick up the slack for us – or, more specifically, for me, the laziest person you've ever met. .

I know what you're thinking: “No, no, Lance, you seem like a hard-working guy.” Is a lie. I've spent decades of my career looking for shortcuts, and AI is my white whale. Instead of traveling on a giant ship to an uncertain destination, Google handed me the whale…er…AI on a tray the size of a typical smartphone.

In Google's evolving vision, there are many things I no longer have to do myself. This is the nirvana of laziness.

I can not remember

Google Ask Photos reads the license plate numbers from the photo library #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/ElSEQHrvVwMay 14, 2024

Start simply. If I don't want to remember my license plate number (because why should I?), Google's new AskPhotos feature can search its huge library of photos and use AI to identify your license plate. Walking to the back of my car and checking the license plate (or maybe just looking out the front window at the car parked in my driveway) is for people much more energetic than me.

Sending it by mail

This email digest from Gemini is something I can really use. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/Jz1cDcEOszMay 14, 2024

Around 2011, I realized I had too many emails to read, much less understand. Many things are left unread because I am too lazy to read them. My friend Google Gemini slides in next to me, gives me a nudge and a smile, and promises to read it, summarize it, and create answers. This is the email of my lazy dreams.

Vacation from trip planning.

New trip planning experience in Gemini Advanced. RIP Travel Agents#GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/kjagB5ODihMay 14, 2024

As I write this, I'm about to go on vacation. I hate planning vacations. I find it tedious and confusing, and I'm too lazy to do it (my wife is the exact opposite). Gemini will let you tell it where you want to go, along with a few other details I may or may not have, and then puts together a surprisingly comprehensive travel itinerary (in a related vein, Gemini seems ready to handle an equally challenging move). to, say, a new state).

Problem solved, but not for you

Circle to search to solve problems. Available now only on Android.#GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/oRM7wpqnMwMay 14, 2024

I used to try to help my kids with their math problems and usually failed, mainly because I was taught “old math” and they were taught “new math.” Google's new search circle for text problems, including math and formulas, would have calmed my lazy psyche into a blissful state of incompetence. Maybe if my kids saw me doing this, just circling what I don't understand, they would have assumed I was being very helpful instead of what I am: very lazy.

The image of…whatever

Google introduces Imagine 3 image generation AI. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/mztGpmFPuoMay 14, 2024

I'm an artist.” I put that in quotes because my drawing skills are just above average. Worse yet, when faced with a drawing task, I often fight the urge not to start at all. That's not just laziness. , is to avoid possible disappointment because I couldn't create that thing. Google's latest image model, Imagine 3, is so good that I realize there is no point in trying to create anything. I could never draw a wolf, an owl so well. of wood, a thread elephant or people enjoying the golden hour sun by enabling “lazy mode” and putting down the pen.

not make movies

It seems Donald Glover already used I Spy before you. This tracks. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/xaq104n7OcMay 14, 2024

Hi, my name is Lance and I'm a TikToker. For some reason I can't explain, TechRadar allows me to record and post TikTok videos to their channel. Imagine Grandpa explaining technology and you'll 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 seems as powerful as OpenAI's Sora. I bet with a little training, I could create the TikToks for myself and possibly include someone AI-generated who looks vaguely like me (a bespectacled thumb would do). Oh, Cheetos.

research container

Now this one is a little dangerous. Google showed how you can dump all your research into Gemini, and it will give you at least an outline. You already know that reporting, which by the way is hard work, is all research, right? Keep this lazy tool away from me.

work punt

Virtual AI teammates, who you can even give terrible names like “Chip.” #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/qKXB6MZtjfMay 14, 2024

Recently, we hired a new guy. It was a lot of work. Yes, it's worth the effort, but I can do without the work part. I had no idea Google would let me create a virtual teammate, one I can even name. He, she or they can hang out in our chat rooms and participate like a real coworker. God, this is so easy.

google laziness

The central message here. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/STcmfkJWOyMay 14, 2024

One of the most important and overarching messages of Google I/O was to let Google search Google for you. In other words, if you need to perform a search, even a large, multi-part one, don't put a lot of effort into it.

Don't tell Google, but I already do this. I'm usually too lazy to carefully analyze my message, so I type what's on my mind in the search field and let the search engine figure it out.

It seems like Google has been reading my lazy brain and just turned up the proactive search capabilities to 11. I mean, they really take ownership of the phrase “Google will search Google for you.” Music for my lazy heart.

Not Compute

This seems very powerful. Astra Project. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/M7nhloMt8kMay 14, 2024

I've done my share of tinkering and troubleshooting, and it doesn't always turn out well. What if I didn't? Google Project Astra is very cheerful and proactive. All I have to do is film something and ask Google, “What the hell is wrong with this?” and go take a nap while he spits out the answer.

An extension of this is Google Gemini's increasing ability to explain everything I see. Why should I spend mental energy interpreting the images my eyes send to my brain? My Pixel 8 Pro has a “brain”. I will leave it and Gemini will do it.

There seem to be no limits to what Google and its powerful AIs will do for you. If I want to find a couch and park there for a day or more, Google's next AI agents will be there to reason, plan, memorize, and think through next steps. These little bits of AI are for you, or rather for me.

I would share more, but well, laziness.