This year's Google for India event marks a significant milestone for the tech giant, celebrating its 10th edition and 20 years of operations in India by 2024. The event showcases Google's ongoing commitment to innovation and technology in the Indian market, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI).
At the forefront of this year's event is Gemini, Google's most advanced AI model to date. The company emphasizes that over 40% of Gemini's Indian language users prefer using voice input, showcasing the growing importance of voice technology in India.
In an exciting development, Google announced that Gemini Live, previously available only in English, is now also accessible in Hindi. This launch aims to cater to the diverse linguistic landscape of India. Furthermore, Google has plans to introduce support for eight additional Indian languages soon, further broadening access to its AI capabilities.
The Google AI Overview, which is currently available in Hindi, has also expanded to include Bengali, Telugu, and Marathi. This initiative demonstrates Google’s commitment to making its AI tools more accessible to users across different regions and languages in India.
In addition to language support, Google has introduced two new real-time weather updates in Google Maps. These features will allow users to report and receive alerts about adverse weather conditions such as fog and flooding on the roads. This enhancement aims to improve user safety and navigation during challenging weather conditions.
Google's payment services are also making strides, connecting 35 million customers across the country. A notable new feature introduced is the UPI Circle on Google Pay, which allows users to request payments from others. This feature is particularly beneficial for scenarios where individuals, such as children without accounts, can send a request to a parent’s Google Pay app for payments.
Google has also increased its loan limits through Google Pay to Rs 5 lakh, allowing users to apply for Gold loans up to Rs 50 lakh. This expansion enables more financial flexibility and options for users in India, addressing diverse financial needs.
Google is enhancing its offerings for merchants as well. A new feature allows them to add their WhatsApp contact information on their business information page on Google. This allows customers to directly message businesses via WhatsApp, streamlining communication and improving customer service. Previously, merchants could only provide a mobile number for voice calls.
Google is committed to enhancing online security with the expansion of its Safety Engineering System in India, set to launch in 2025. This initiative is part of Google's broader improvements to DigiKavach, an anti-fraud service that was introduced at the Google for India 2023 event. These enhancements aim to bolster user trust and safety while engaging with Google's services.
Conclusion: A Commitment to India
The announcements made at this year's Google for India event reflect the company's dedication to innovation, accessibility, and safety. With a focus on AI advancements, enhanced payment features, and improved communication for businesses, Google continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape in India. As Google rolls out these initiatives, it aims to empower users, businesses, and communities across the country, ensuring a more connected and secure digital future.