Key positions and views

Enterprise AI is no longer experimental but a core driver of measurable business value, evidenced by high adoption rates and specific ROI metrics from major clients.

The future of AI is an open, multi-model ecosystem where customers can access both Google's state-of-the-art models (like Gemini 3.1 Pro) and leading third-party models (like Anthropic's Claude) on a single platform.

Autonomous, tool-using 'agents' are the next major computing paradigm, requiring a dedicated platform with features for identity, security, complex reasoning, and a marketplace of specialized skills.

Deep, strategic partnerships with technology leaders like Apple and enterprise giants like Walmart are essential for deploying AI at a global scale and integrating it into mission-critical systems.

Specialized models optimized for specific modalities like vision (Flash Image), video (Deo), and audio (Lyria) are critical for unlocking new applications beyond general-purpose text generation.

Podcast consensus on Kurian

Points of consensus

▶Multiple claims emphasize the rapid and widespread enterprise adoption of Google Cloud's AI tools, with nearly 75% of customers reportedly using them and major companies like Walmart, Unilever, Merck, and KPMG deploying Gemini Enterprise to tens of thousands of employees.Apr 2026

▶Google Cloud's strategy involves deep, high-stakes partnerships, as evidenced by claims about collaborating with Apple on future Apple Intelligence features, partnering with NASA for the Artemis 2 mission, and having Gemini 3.1 Pro chosen by tech companies like Databricks and Replit.Apr 2026

▶There is a consistent focus on AI delivering measurable business outcomes. This is supported by claims of a projected 10x ROI for Liverpool, a 28% sales increase for Virgin Voyages, and a 400% surge in weekly users for Signal Iduna's health agent.Apr 2026

▶Google Cloud is actively expanding its AI platform capabilities, highlighted by announcements of new proprietary models (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image, Deo 3-1 Lite), support for third-party models (Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.7), and new platform features like Microsoft 365 interoperability.Apr 2026

Points of debate

▶There is a direct conflict in the reported performance of Signal Iduna's health agent. One claim states it provides answers '37 times faster' [13], while another specifies it is '37% faster' [24], representing a significant difference in the metric.Apr 2026

▶The framing of Google Cloud's AI adoption rate shows slight nuance. One claim states 'Nearly 75% of Google Cloud customers are currently using the company's AI products' [3], while another refines this to 'using its AI products to power their businesses' [5], suggesting a distinction between general usage and more deeply integrated, impactful deployment.Apr 2026

▶The list of partners in the Gemini Enterprise Agent Marketplace is slightly inconsistent. Claim [18] includes Atlassian, Box, Lovable, Oracle, ServiceNow, and Workday, whereas claim [29] omits 'Lovable' from the same list.Apr 2026

▶The rationale for Walmart's Gemini Enterprise rollout is presented with varying levels of detail. One claim simply states the fact of the rollout [8], while another adds the strategic goal 'to help them spend more time with customers' [11], shifting from a technical announcement to a business value proposition.Apr 2026

Key themes

▶Enterprise AI Adoption and Tangible ROIApr 2026

Kurian emphasizes the rapid and widespread adoption of Google Cloud's AI, particularly Gemini Enterprise, across major corporations like Walmart, Unilever, and Merck. He consistently links this adoption to concrete business outcomes, such as Liverpool's projected 10x ROI, Virgin Voyages' 28% sales increase, and Signal Iduna's 400% user surge.

The focus on quantifiable metrics suggests Google Cloud's go-to-market strategy is shifting from showcasing technical capabilities to demonstrating clear financial and operational value for enterprise customers, aiming to de-risk AI investment.

▶Expanding the Multi-Model EcosystemApr 2026

The keynote highlights a strategy of both developing proprietary models and embracing an open ecosystem. Kurian announced new specialized Google models like Gemini 3.1 Flash Image and Lyria 3 Pro, while also adding support for competitor models like Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.7.

This 'best tool for the job' approach positions Google Cloud as a neutral platform rather than a walled garden, potentially attracting customers who want flexibility and to avoid vendor lock-in with a single model provider.

▶High-Stakes Strategic AlliancesApr 2026

Kurian showcased deep integrations and partnerships with industry giants, most notably Apple, for whom Google Cloud is the preferred provider for developing next-gen foundation models powering features like a personalized Siri. Other key collaborations include NASA for the Artemis 2 mission and major software companies like Databricks and Replit adopting Gemini 3.1 Pro.

These partnerships signal that Google Cloud's AI is being trusted for mission-critical and consumer-facing applications at a massive scale, moving beyond back-office enterprise tasks and into the core product offerings of other tech leaders.

▶Building the AI Agent PlatformApr 2026

A central theme is the formalization of an 'agent platform' designed for developers and enterprises. Kurian introduced foundational components like Agent Identity for security, Gemini Enterprise Projects for complex problem-solving, and an Agent Marketplace for deploying pre-built solutions from partners like Oracle and ServiceNow.

Google is abstracting away the complexity of building AI applications by providing a structured, secure, and extensible platform for 'agents,' indicating a strategic bet that autonomous, tool-using agents are the future of software development and business process automation.

Source episodes

Timeline

Google Cloud Next '26

During his opening keynote, Thomas Kurian presented a comprehensive update on Google Cloud's AI strategy, centered on widespread enterprise adoption, tangible ROI, and the formalization of an AI agent platform. Key announcements included a major partnership with Apple, the general availability of Gemini 3.1 Pro, the launch of new specialized models, and support for third-party models like Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.7, signaling a push towards an open, multi-model ecosystem.

Suggested prompts

How does Google Cloud's multi-model strategy, including support for Anthropic's Claude, impact its competitive positioning against single-provider clouds like AWS and Microsoft Azure? &nearr;What are the primary drivers behind the reported high adoption rates of Gemini Enterprise among clients like KPMG and Signal Iduna, and are these results sustainable? &nearr;To what extent does the strategic partnership with Apple for Apple Intelligence validate Google's foundation model capabilities compared to its competitors? &nearr;How does the introduction of a formal 'Agent Platform' with features like Agent Identity and an Agent Marketplace change the developer experience and enterprise architecture for building AI applications? &nearr;

Key concepts

AI Adoption & ROI 1 ep Gemini Enterprise 1 ep Strategic Partnerships 1 ep Agent Platform 1 ep Gemini 3.1 Pro 1 ep New AI Models 1 ep Anthropic/Claude Support 1 ep Microsoft 365 Interoperability 1 ep

Notable quotes

“Nearly 75% of Google Cloud customers now leverage our AI products to power their businesses.”

Thomas Kurian · Google Cloud Next '26 Opening Keynote

“These models will help power future Apple intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming later this year.”

Thomas Kurian · Google Cloud Next '26 Opening Keynote

“Our most advanced reasoning model, Gemini 3.1 Pro, is available in preview. Industry leaders including Databricks, JetBrains and Replit have chosen Gemini 3.1 Pro.”

Thomas Kurian · Google Cloud Next '26 Opening Keynote

“And Walmart is rolling out Gemini Enterprise. Walmart is rolling out Gemini Enterprise to help their store leaders spend more time with customers.”

Thomas Kurian · Google Cloud Next '26 Opening Keynote

Report last updated: Apr 28, 2026

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