Google LLC’s aggressive push to redefine cloud computing through innovation and differentiation is on display during this week’s Google Cloud Next event in Las Vegas. The computing giant is focused on advanced artificial intelligence integration and user-experience enhancements to secure its spot in an AI-driven future.

“AI’s everywhere, and I think Google’s really trying to find their footing, and you can see their posture — hello, next big thing, doing cloud in a new way,” said John Furrier (pictured, left), theCUBE Research executive analyst. “They’re trying to find that cool factor, and they’re really racing fast to fill in the blanks.”

This statement sets the stage for an event focused on redefining cloud computing’s future, emphasizing Google’s efforts to distinguish itself in a fiercely competitive market.

Furrier, along with his co-analysts, Rebecca Knight (second from left), Savannah Peterson (right) and Rob Strechay (second from right), kicked off day one of Google Cloud Next 2024, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed the day one keynote and explored Google’s strategic advancements in AI and cloud computing, emphasizing partnerships, technological innovations and efforts to enhance user experiences as key drivers in distinguishing Google Cloud in the highly competitive cloud industry landscape. (* Disclosure below.)

A new era of cloud computing: An AI-driven future

Google’s commitment to innovating cloud services in an AI-driven future has never been stronger, marking a clear departure from traditional approaches, according to theCUBE analysts. The company aims to reshape cloud computing by integrating advanced AI and machine learning technologies, Furrier pointed out.

“I think Google’s going to probably dump a lot of tools out there, because I think they’re going to pick a playbook out of Amazon, which is win them with tools and abstraction layers and monetize the compute, monetize the cloud scale,” Furrier said. “They still need to get that cloud scale horsepower up.”

This ambition is not just about playing catch-up; it’s about setting new standards and leading the next wave of cloud evolution. Part of that strategy can be seen in new partnerships and product announcements, including collaborations with Nvidia Corp. These moves not only aim to bolster Google Cloud’s capabilities, but to also “stake its ground” and differentiate it from competitors such as AWS and Azure, according to Strechay.

“The entire keynote was about how to do cloud differently. They’re looking at how they’re differentiating themselves,” said Strechay, highlighting Google Cloud’s push toward a unique value proposition in the cloud marketplace.

The integration of AI and user experience

Another key strategy from Google Cloud is leveraging AI to enhance user experiences and operational efficiency. The real-world applications of Google’s technology are instrumental in streamlining workflows and enhancing decision-making processes. The keynote presentations, particularly the showcase of brand-name companies integrating Google’s technology, underscored a significant shift toward AI’s practical applications, according to Peterson.

“2024 is really the year of making AI real. Last year lots of interesting potential applications, but we’re starting to see it at scale,” she said, capturing the sentiment that this year marks a turning point in transitioning AI from potential to practice.

The topic of democratization and the impact of AI on workplace inclusivity, particularly for women, is a critical issue. The potential for AI, such as with Google’s Gemini, to take on “office housework” traditionally done by women — such as notetaking or planning luncheons — helps level the playing field, according to Knight.

“I think this could be really revolutionizing for women at work,” she said.

TheCUBE analysts painted a picture of a future where cloud computing is not just about storage and computing power. Instead, it’s about creating ecosystems that harness the power of AI to drive innovation, efficiency and inclusivity. Google Cloud’s efforts to differentiate itself and push the boundaries of what’s possible with cloud technology reflect a broader industry trend toward more intelligent, user-focused solutions.

As these technologies continue to evolve, the emphasis will increasingly be on how they can solve real-world problems, democratize access to advanced tools and pave the way for the next generation of cloud computing, according to theCUBE analysts.

“People are going to need a complete solution that they can trust,” Peterson said. “That’s what you see everyone scrambling to do … finding the best components, the best partners, the best way to plug in the right APIs, the right hardware, the right GPU. It doesn’t matter what we’re talking about. It’s how can we solve for these huge companies to be their long-term solution and keep it all safe.”

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE Research’s coverage of Google Cloud Next 2024:

(* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for Google Cloud Next 2024. Neither Google, the primary sponsor for theCUBE’s event coverage, nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE