Google I/O Connect India Highlights: Gemini 2.5 Flash, Gemma 3n and more

With access to affordable gen AI tools such as Gemini 2.5 Flash, and training programme, bootstrapped startups will be able to cut more costs and be able to build networks and expand their business to wider geography.

Google on Wednesday (July 23) announced launch of the company’s advanced generative Artificial Intelligence model Gemini 2.5 Flash-Lite for Indian developers and start-ups at an event in Bengaluru.

With the latest Gemini 2.5 Flash, small firms with tight budgets can automate works such as data entry, invoicing and customer support and with multi-language support, the app developers can expand their business not just in India, but also worldwide. The precious human resources can be better utilised for more important managerial roles.

Gemini 2.5 Flash will be beneficial for healthcare, banking and finance, and for the public sector, where data residency and low-latency processing are critical. 

Gemma 3n model

Google's latest gen AI model Gemma 3n can assist developers to significantly improve the user experience on the apps. They can incorporate multimodal AI experiences real-time language translations faster than ever on mobile. The model can also work on-device without the need for internet to perform AI-power tasks.

Further, Gemma 3n-powered AI features can support old phones with bare minimum hardware and 2GB RAM.

As part of India AI Mission initiative, Google in collaboration with the central government are working with local startups—Sarvam, Soket AI and Gnani—that are building the next generation of Make in India AI models on Gemma.

Further, Google is also closely with the BharatGen team at IIT Bombay to build indigenous Indic language Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and Text-to-Speech (TTS) models for underrepresented languages and that can be included in government-run mobile apps, ensuring welfare scheme services can be availed by underprivileged citizens in remote areas.

Google Maps Places UI Kit for developers

Further, Indian developers building for logistics, travel-related and location-aware services will also get access to content from Google Maps that is richer and more precise, including details about local landmarks, based on information about more than 250 million places worldwide.

With Google Maps Places UI Kit, Indian developers will be able to create easy-to-use widgets and components for their apps for a fraction of the cost, significantly reducing expenditure to run their business. Further, they will be able to improve user experience on mobile apps, which increases the loyalty among subscribers and improves profit margins.

And, those who already use Google Maps API will get advanced AI Weather forecasting models. With this, developers can update their apps to provide more accurate weather predictions with more granular data.

“Indian developers are literally writing the next chapter of India’s success story, using AI capabilities to build real-world applications that are reaching millions of businesses and people across India and the world. We have been inspired by their solutions, and proud that many have chosen our AI, including Gemini, Gemma and GenMedia models like Veo and Imagen, to build their innovations. As we have done today, we remain steadfast in bringing them our industry-leading, cuing-edge capabilities to accelerate their journeys, and India’s leadership in a global AI-led future.”

Dr. Manish Gupta, Senior Director for India and APAC at Google DeepMind.

Google Play x Unity Game Developer Training program

Google in collaboration with Game Developer Association of India (GDAI), are starting Unity Game Developer Training programme for 500 gaming app developers in partnership with the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Gaming developers will get 30 hours of online training across three specialised learning tracks - Game Developer, Artist, and Programmer. This will equip developers with in-demand industry skills and assist access to Unity’s global, industry-recognised certification.

Last year, Google Play and Android ecosystem reportedly generated Rs 4 lakh crore in revenue for app publishers and the wider economy in India.

It should be noted that India has the second largest number of active developers registered on Google Play globally. 

Further, the Google Play and Android app ecosystem has enabled the creation of 35 lakh direct, indirect, and spillover jobs in the country in 2024.

With access to affordable gen AI tools such as Gemini 2.5 Flash, and training programmes, bootstrapped start-ups will be able to cut costs and build networks to expand their business to different geographies.

Earlier this month, Google launched the free one-year Gemini AI Pro subscription worth Rs 19,500 for Indian students.

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