This year's Google I/O developer's conference was packed with AI. Google showed off the latest updates to its Gemini AI platform and debuted its pricey new AI Ultra subscription plan (spoiler: it's $250 per month).

Project Astra debuted at I/O 2024 as a next-generation AI assistant that can view the world around you, and provide advice and tips throughout the day. Since then, Astra has been incorporated into the camera and screen-sharing capabilities of the Gemini app and Google says it upgraded Astra's voice output to be more natural with native audio,

Specifically, Google says AI Mode will be able to answer “your toughest questions” and can be used to go more in-depth, asking follow-ups and providing “helpful web links.” AI Mode is based on a custom version of Gemini 2.