Google: Gemini created the film and visual identity of the I/O 2026 conference

In a post, Google described how it used its own AI models, primarily Gemini and experimental systems, to create multiple elements of its annual developer conference I/O 2026. The goal was to demonstrate a practical application of the technology, but also to keep the human authorial hand in the process.

How was the short film “TPU Training Day” created?

The central project was the animated short film “TPU Training Day”, directed by Laurie Rowan and Nexus Studios. The team first filmed the characters’ performances using classic puppet animation, then used the Nano Banana model to generate stylized first frames from that raw footage. For consistency across frames they built a custom tool in Google AI Studio, and the final look merged the base animation with the stylized frames using Gemini Omni and experimental models, preserving the charming imperfections of puppet animation.

How was the visual identity conceived?

For the conference’s brand identity, the team fed Gemini models five years of I/O guidelines and summaries and iteratively generated images, feeding feedback back to Nano Banana. The result was flat 2D icons that transform into hyper-toned 3D versions.

What else was AI-powered?

Google also prepared several interactive pre-conference experiences. Jellectronica used the Lyria 3 Pro model to turn the movements of jellyfish into generative music, Infinite Scaler is a video game in which Nano Banana generates custom 3D sprite sheets, and Antigravity Coffee Co. used generative UI and Flutter to design latte art. The whole approach illustrates how the fusion of human creativity and AI tools speeds up prototyping while preserving artistic intent.