Google co-founder Sergey Brin has revealed he’s actively dogfooding the company’s Gemini Live AI assistant during his daily commute, offering a rare glimpse into how one of tech’s most influential figures engages with artificial intelligence. Speaking at a Stanford University panel last week, Brin disclosed that he regularly uses Gemini Live—Google’s voice-enabled AI chatbot—to discuss complex topics while driving, including technical questions about data center development, power requirements, and cost calculations.
Brin, who stepped down as president of Alphabet in 2019, has returned to Google in recent years to work directly on Gemini development, the company’s flagship AI model competing with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other large language models. His hands-on involvement underscores the strategic importance Google places on its AI initiatives as the company races to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
During the panel discussion, when asked about how he stays intellectually sharp, Brin explained: “I do talk to Gemini Live in the car often. I just talk to it about stuff on my drive.” He provided a specific example of his queries, asking the AI assistant about developing data centers and calculating hundreds of megawatts of power requirements and associated costs—questions that reflect his deep involvement in Google’s infrastructure planning.
However, Brin also offered a surprising caveat for potential users. He recommended that drivers interested in the technology “shouldn’t do it now, because we have a way better version coming.” He characterized the publicly available version of Gemini Live as being backed by an “ancient model” and promised that a significantly improved version would ship within weeks—one that he currently has access to internally.
Google first demonstrated Gemini Live at its I/O conference in May 2024 and made it freely available to users in September 2024. The timing of Brin’s comments suggests a major update is imminent, potentially coinciding with Google’s recent AI advancements. In November, the company debuted Gemini 3, which Google described as its “most factual” model to date with enhanced visual capabilities. Notably, Gemini 3 became the first model Google integrated directly into search on launch day through an “AI Mode” feature, eliminating the need for users to visit separate applications.
The impact of Google’s latest AI developments has resonated across the industry, with even competitors taking notice. Meta employees now have access to Gemini 3 Pro, indicating the model’s capabilities have earned respect from rival tech giants. Brin acknowledged his response seemed “kind of self-advertising” but also mentioned he listens to podcasts like “All In,” where he has appeared multiple times.
Key Quotes
I do talk to Gemini Live in the car often. I just talk to it about stuff on my drive.
Sergey Brin explained his daily use of Google’s AI assistant at a Stanford University panel, demonstrating how even tech executives are integrating conversational AI into routine activities like commuting.
I want to develop a data center, I need how many hundreds of megawatts of this kind of power, that kind of power, how much it’s going to cost.
Brin provided this specific example of the complex technical questions he poses to Gemini Live, illustrating the AI’s capability to handle sophisticated infrastructure planning queries that reflect his ongoing involvement in Google’s operations.
The publicly available version right now is not the good version. Give me a few weeks to actually ship what I have access to.
Brin candidly admitted that the current public release of Gemini Live is inferior to internal versions, promising a significantly improved update within weeks—a statement that has generated anticipation for Google’s next AI release.
The publicly available version right now is backed by an ‘ancient model.’
This characterization by Brin suggests Google has made substantial advances in its AI technology that haven’t yet reached consumers, indicating the rapid pace of development happening behind the scenes at the company.
Our Take
Brin’s transparency about Gemini Live’s current limitations while promising imminent improvements is a fascinating strategic move. It simultaneously manages expectations and builds anticipation, while his personal endorsement serves as powerful marketing from someone with unquestionable technical credibility. His return from semi-retirement to work on Gemini underscores how AI represents an inflection point comparable to Google’s founding era. The fact that he’s using the tool for complex data center calculations—not trivial queries—demonstrates confidence in the technology’s reliability for high-stakes decision-making. The integration of Gemini 3 into Search on day one signals Google’s willingness to bet its core business on AI, a bold move that could either cement its dominance or expose vulnerabilities if the technology underperforms. Meta’s adoption of Gemini 3 Pro suggests the competitive landscape may be shifting toward collaboration and cross-pollination rather than pure rivalry.
Why This Matters
Brin’s public endorsement of Gemini Live represents a significant moment for Google’s AI strategy, as one of the company’s founders personally validates the technology’s practical utility. His hands-on involvement in Gemini development signals that Google is treating AI as an existential priority, not just another product line. The revelation that an “ancient model” currently powers the public version while a dramatically improved version awaits release suggests Google may be preparing a major competitive move against rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic.
The integration of Gemini 3 directly into Google Search marks a strategic shift in how AI is deployed, moving from standalone applications to core product integration. This approach could fundamentally change how billions of users interact with information online. The fact that Meta has granted its employees access to Gemini 3 Pro demonstrates cross-industry recognition of Google’s AI capabilities, potentially indicating a shift in competitive dynamics. For businesses and developers, Brin’s comments suggest that waiting for the next Gemini Live release could provide access to significantly more capable AI tools for productivity and problem-solving applications.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/google-sergey-brin-gemini-live-dogfooding-data-centers-2025-12