In a recent Q3 earnings call, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that the Project Astra won't be ready for public release until 2025 at the earliest.
This project is part of Google’s broader goal to develop technologies that enable AI to understand and interact with the world in real-time.
Project Astra was initially showcased during the I/O developer conference in May 2024.
In a recent Q3 earnings call, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that the company’s ambitious Project Astra, which aims to create advanced AI applications and agents, won’t be ready for public release until 2025 at the earliest. This project is part of Google’s broader goal to develop technologies that enable AI to understand and interact with the world in real-time and across multiple modes.
Pichai emphasised the exciting potential of Project Astra, stating, “We’re building out experiences where AI can see and reason about the world around you.” He described the project as a glimpse into the future, highlighting how it will transform user interactions with technology.
Also read: Is Google trying to hide something? Employees ordered to stay silent on antitrust case
Initially showcased during the I/O developer conference in May 2024, Project Astra includes various innovative technologies. For example, it features smartphone applications that can identify objects in the user’s environment and provide relevant information. During a live demo, Google illustrated how a prototype of Project Astra could answer questions about visible surroundings, such as identifying the neighbourhood a user is in or even diagnosing issues with a broken bicycle.
There had been expectations that Google might release a consumer-friendly AI agent by December 2024, capable of tasks like purchasing products or booking flights. However, given the latest timeline, it appears this launch may not happen as planned, unless it involves a different experience unrelated to Project Astra.
Also read: Google ordered to pay Rs 21,790cr to a UK couple, here’s why
The challenges of developing AI agents have become evident in the tech industry, as seen with Anthropic, which recently introduced a large generative AI model that can control applications and web browsers, reports TechCrunch. Despite its capabilities, Anthropic has faced difficulties with executing many basic tasks, underscoring the complexity of creating reliable AI agents.
As we look ahead, the delay in Project Astra suggests that while Google’s vision for next-generation AI is promising, users will have to wait a bit longer to experience these advanced functionalities. The hope is that when they do arrive, they will significantly enhance how we interact with our devices and the world around us.
Follow Us
Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile
