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Google Bets On AI Agents To Move Beyond Chatbots

Google is expanding Gemini beyond conversational AI with a unified agent designed to complete tasks on users’ behalf. Announced at a Google Cloud event, the system can plan work, use specialised tools and connect to business software, reflecting a broader shift from answering prompts to executing complex tasks.

AI companies are increasingly developing agents that can write code, schedule meetings, manage projects and interact directly with enterprise systems.

Enterprise Customers Lead Google’s AI Push

Google is prioritising business users, relying on its existing corporate reach to scale agentic AI. CEO Sundar Pichai said Gemini has more than 1 billion monthly active users, while nearly 90% of Fortune 100 companies use Gemini Enterprise.

Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said the new agent can work towards “objectives, not just instructions,” allowing users to delegate tasks without guiding every step. It can select the most suitable model automatically, while users can choose alternatives such as Anthropic’s Claude. Google plans to add more open-source and private models.

Connected To Business Tools And Data

The agent works with files, folders and projects while connecting to platforms including Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, Jira, Confluence, Git, BigQuery, Databricks, Postgres and Snowflake. It can also connect to Model Context Protocol servers inside or outside a company’s network.

A dedicated tasks inbox lets users track progress, including specialised skills, delegation to subagents and code execution, providing greater visibility into how work is completed.

A Digital Colleague With Its Own Identity

Gemini will have its own Google Workspace account and email address, allowing it to function more like a digital team member. The agent will take organisational structures, time zones, approval processes and calendars into account.

Employees can interact with it by tagging it, emailing it, sharing documents or adding it to group chats. Its actions will be recorded under its own identity, creating an audit trail separate from individual employees’ activity.

Availability And Early Adopters

Google said the agent will be available on iOS and Android, Windows and Mac desktops, the command line, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, ServiceNow and Slack.

Early testers include On, Shopify and PayPal. Other named Gemini Enterprise customers include BNP Paribas, Bradesco, Merck, Orange Spain, Santee Cooper, SOMPO, Ulta Beauty and Wesfarmers.

Managing Enterprise AI Costs

To help businesses control spending, Google is introducing multi-model orchestration, smart routing and real-time spending limits.

The strategy reflects a broader shift in enterprise AI: systems are increasingly expected not just to generate answers, but to execute tasks across existing software while remaining subject to company oversight.

Web Summit 2026 Brings 70,000 Participants From 164 Countries To Lisbon

Around 70,000 people from 164 countries attended this year’s Web Summit in Lisbon, with China sending its largest delegation to the event so far. More than 50 representatives from the country’s artificial intelligence and robotics sectors took part, reflecting China’s growing presence in technologies reshaping manufacturing and services.

Founded in Dublin in 2009, Web Summit moved to Lisbon in 2016 and has since developed into one of Europe’s major technology conferences. The event brings together start-ups, investors and industry leaders, providing a platform for companies to present new technologies and explore business opportunities.

This year’s gathering also highlighted China’s expanding influence in the global technology industry, a trend noted by Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave.

Storm Charles Interrupts Conference Programme

The summit’s schedule was disrupted on November 11, when Storm Charles forced organisers to cancel activities for the day. The programme resumed on November 12, allowing the event to conclude as planned.

Despite the interruption, this year’s Web Summit highlighted several key developments shaping the technology sector, including advances in robotics and automation, intensifying international competition and continued demand for platforms connecting businesses with investors.

For Lisbon, the conference remains an important international technology gathering, bringing together companies and decision-makers while showcasing innovations moving towards commercial application.

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