What’s new with Google Cloud

Want to know the latest from Google Cloud? Find it here in one handy location. Check back regularly for our newest updates, announcements, resources, events, learning opportunities, and more. 

Tip: Not sure where to find what you’re looking for on the Google Cloud blog? Start here: Google Cloud blog 101: Full list of topics, links, and resources.

May 12 - May 16

• Google for Startups Accelerator: AI For Energy now accepting applications!
  Applications are now open for startups headquartered in Europe and Israel, working on solutions for utilities, grid operators and energy developers; solutions for residential and commercial end-use customers focused on demand flexibility and solutions for industrial customers. This equity-free program offers 10 weeks of intensive mentorship and technical project support to startups integrating AI into their core energy services or products. Selected startups will collaborate with a cohort of peer founders and engage with leaders across Google and the energy sector. The curriculum will provide founders with access to AI tools and include workshops on tech and infrastructure, UX and product, growth, sales, leadership and more. Learn more and apply before June 30th, 2025. 

• Extending Google Cloud Workstations containers to run any GUI based programAre you having difficulty customizing Google Cloud Workstations to run a GUI program outside of the supported configurations of IDE’s? If so, you’re not alone. In this article we discuss how to use the base Workstations Docker image and build it to run a terminal and Google Chrome.

• Google Cloud Marketplace simplifies deals and improves economics. Announcing three initiatives that build upon Google Cloud Marketplace as a growth engine for customers and partners:

1. 1. Improving partner deal economics to help partners retain more earnings by moving to a variable revenue share model

   2. Simplifying commit drawdown for purchases through channel partners

   3. Unlocking new workloads with the Marketplace Customer Credit Program incentive
      
      Learn more

• 2025 Google Cloud DORA Awards are now open for submission!Has your team achieved remarkable success through DORA principles? It's time to shine. We're thrilled to announce the launch of the 2025 Google Cloud DORA Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in technology delivery and operational performance. Submit your story today!

May 5 - May 9

• AI assisted development with MCP Toolbox for Databases
  We are excited to announce new updates to MCP Toolbox for Databases. Developers can now use Toolbox from their preferred IDE, such as Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Desktop, more and leverage our new pre-built tools such as execute_sql and list_tables for AI-assisted development with Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL, AlloyDB and self-managed PostgreSQL.
  • Get Started with MCP Toolbox for Databases

Apr 28 - May 2

• Itching to build AI agents? Join the Agent Development Kit Hackathon with Google Cloud! Use ADK to build multi-agent systems to solve challenges around complex processes, customer engagement, content creation, and more. Compete for over $50,000 in prizes and demonstrate the power of multi-agent systems with ADK and Google Cloud.
  • Submissions are open from May 12, 2025 to June 23, 2025.
  • Learn more and register here.

Apr 21 - Apr 25

• Iceland’s Magic: Reliving Solo Adventure through Gemini
  Embark on a journey through Iceland's stunning landscapes, as experienced on Gauti's Icelandic solo trip. From majestic waterfalls to the enchanting Northern Lights, Gautami then takes these cherished memories a step further, using Google's multi-modal AI, specifically Veo2, to bring static photos to life. Discover how technology can enhance and dynamically relive travel experiences, turning precious moments into immersive short videos. This innovative approach showcases the power of AI in preserving and enriching our memories from Gauti's unforgettable Icelandic travels. Read more.

• Introducing ETLC - A Context-First Approach to Data Processing in the Generative AI Era: As organizations adopt generative AI, data pipelines often lack the dynamic context needed. This paper introduces ETLC (Extract, Transform, Load, Contextualize), adding semantic, relational, operational, environmental, and behavioral context. ETLC enables Dynamic Context Engines for context-aware RAG, AI co-pilots, and agentic systems. It works with standards like the Model Context Protocol (MCP) for effective context delivery, ensuring business-specific AI outputs. Read the full paper.

Apr 14 - Apr 18

• What’s new in Database Center
  With general availability, Database Center now provides enhanced performance and health monitoring for all Google Cloud databases, including Cloud SQL, AlloyDB, Spanner, Bigtable, Memorystore, and Firestore. It delivers richer metrics and actionable recommendations, helps you to optimize database performance and reliability, and customize your experience. Database Center also leverages Gemini to deliver assistive performance troubleshooting experience. Finally, you can track the weekly progress of your database inventory and health issues. 

  Get started with Database Center today

  • Access Database Center in Google Cloud console

  • Review the documentation to learn more

Apr 7 - Apr 11

• This week, at Google Cloud Next, we announced an expansion of Bigtable's SQL capabilities and introduced continuous materialized views. Bigtable SQL and continuous materialized views empower users to build fully-managed, real-time application backends using familiar SQL syntax, including specialized features that preserve Bigtable's flexible schema — a vital aspect of real-time applications. Read more in this blog.
• DORA Report Goes Global: Now Available in 9 Languages!
  Unlock the power of DevOps insights with the DORA report, now available in 9 languages, including Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. Global teams can now optimize their practices, benchmark performance, and gain localized insights to accelerate software delivery. The report highlights the significant impact of AI on software development, explores platform engineering’s promises and challenges, and emphasizes user-centricity and stable priorities for organizational success. Download the DORA Report Now
• New Google Cloud State of AI Infrastructure Report Released
  Is your infrastructure ready for AI? The 2025 State of AI Infrastructure Report is here, packed with insights from 500+ global tech leaders. Discover the strategies and challenges shaping the future of AI and learn how to build a robust, secure, and cost-effective AI-ready cloud. Download the report and enhance your AI investments today. Download the 2025 AI infrastructure report now
• Google Cloud and Oracle Accelerate Enterprise Modernization with New Regions, Expanded Capabilities
  Announcing major Oracle Database@Google Cloud enhancements! We're launching the flexible Oracle Base Database Service and powerful new Exadata X11M machines. We're rapidly expanding to 20 global locations, adding new Partner Cross-Cloud Interconnect options, and introducing Cross-Region Disaster Recovery for Autonomous Database. Benefit from enhanced Google Cloud Monitoring, integrated Backup & DR, plus expanded support for enterprise applications like SAP. Customers can run critical Oracle workloads with more power, resilience, and seamless Google Cloud integration. Get started right away from your Google Cloud Console or learn more here.

Mar 17 - Mar 21

• Cloud CISO Perspectives: 5 tips for secure AI success - To coincide with new AI Protection capabilities in Security Command Center, we’re offering 5 tips to set up your organization for secure AI success.
• Our 4-6-3 rule for strengthening security ties to business: The desire to quickly transform a business can push leaders to neglect security and resilience, but prioritizing security can unlock value. Follow these 4 principles, 6 steps, and 3 metrics to use a security-first mindset to drive business results.
• The new Data Protection Tab in Compute Engine ensures your resources are protected: Not only have we co-located your backup options, but we also have introduced smart default data protection for any Compute Engine instance created via Cloud Console. Here’s how it works.
• DORA report - Impact of Generative AI in Software Development
  This report builds on and extends DORA's research into AI. We review the current landscape of AI adoption, look into its impact on developers and organizations, and outline a framework and practical guidance for successful integration, measurement, and continuous improvement. Download the report!

Mar 10 - Mar 14

• Protecting your APIs from OWASP’s top 10 security threats: We compare OWASP’s top 10 API security threats list to the security capabilities of Apigee. Here’s how we hold up.

• Project Shield makes it easier to sign up, set up, automate DDoS protection: It’s now easier than ever for vulnerable organizations to apply to Project Shield, set up protection, and automate their defenses. Here’s how.

• How Google Does It: Red teaming at Google scale - The best red teams are creative sparring partners for defenders, probing for weaknesses. Here’s how we do red teaming at Google scale.

• AI Hypercomputer is a fully integrated supercomputing architecture for AI workloads – and it’s easier to use than you think. Check out this blog, where we break down four common use cases, including reference architectures and tutorials, representing just a few of the many ways you can use AI Hypercomputer today. 

• Transform Business Operations with Gemini-Powered SMS-iT CRM on Google Cloud: SMS-iT CRM on Google Cloud unifies SMS, MMS, email, voice, and 22+ social channels into one Smart Inbox. Enjoy real-time voice interactions, AI chatbots, immersive video conferencing, AI tutors, AI operator, and unlimited AI agents for lead management. Benefit from revenue-driven automation, intelligent appointment scheduling with secure payments, dynamic marketing tools, robust analytics, and an integrated ERP suite that streamlines operations from project management to commerce. This comprehensive solution is designed to eliminate inefficiencies and drive exponential growth for your business. Experience the Future Today.

• Join us for a new webinar, Smarter CX, Bigger Impact: Transforming Customer Experiences with Google AI, where we'll explore how Google AI can help you deliver exceptional customer experiences and drive business growth. You'll learn how to:

• Transform Customer Experiences:  With conversational AI agents that provide personalized customer engagements.

• Improve Employee Productivity & Experience: With AI that monitors customers sentiment in real-time, and assists customer service representatives to raise customer satisfaction scores.

• Deliver Value Faster: With  30+ data connectors and 70+ action connectors to the most commonly used CRMs and information systems.
  
  Register here

Mar 3 - Mar 7

• Hej Sverige! Google Cloud launches new region in Sweden - More than just another region, it represents a significant investment in Sweden's future and Google’s ongoing commitment to empowering businesses and individuals with the power of the cloud. This new region, our 42nd globally and 13th in Europe, opens doors to opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and growth — within Sweden and across the globe. We're excited about the potential it holds for your digital transformations and AI aspirations.
• [March 11th webinar] Building infrastructure for the Generative AI era: insights from the 2025 State of AI Infra report: Staying at the forefront of AI requires an infrastructure built for AI. Generative AI is revolutionizing industries, but it demands a new approach to infrastructure. In this webinar, we'll unveil insights from Google Cloud's latest research report and equip tech leaders with a practical roadmap for building and managing gen AI workloads, including: the top gen AI use cases driving the greatest return on investment, current infrastructure approaches and preferences for Generative AI workloads, the impact of performance benchmarks, scalability, and security on cloud provider selection. Register today.
• Cloud CISO Perspectives: Why PQC is the next Y2K, and what you can do about it: Much like Y2K 25 years ago, post-quantum cryptography may seem like the future’s problem — but it will soon be ours if IT doesn’t move faster, explains Google Cloud’s Christiane Peters. Here's how business leaders can get going on PQC prep.
• How Google Does It: Using threat intelligence to uncover and track cybercrime — How does Google use threat intelligence to uncover and track cybercrime? Google Threat Intelligence Group’s Kimberly Goody takes you behind the scenes.
• 5 key cybersecurity strategies for manufacturing executives — Here are five key governance strategies that can help manufacturing executives build a robust cybersecurity posture and better mitigate the evolving risks they face.
• Datastream now offers Salesforce source in Preview. Instantly connect, capture changes, and deliver data to BigQuery, Cloud Storage, etc. Power real-time insights with flexible authentication and robust backfill/CDC. Unlock Salesforce data for Google Cloud analytics, reporting, and generative AI. Read the documentation to learn more.
• Find out how much you can save with Spanner - According to a recent Forrester Total Economic Impact™ study, by migrating to Spanner from a traditional database, a $1 billion per year B2C organization could get a 132% return on investment (ROI) with a 9-month payback period, and realize $7.74M in total benefits over the three years. To see how, check out the blog or download the report. 
• GenAI Observability for Developers series: The Google Cloud DevRel team hosted a four-part webinar series, "Gen AI Observability for Developers," demonstrating observability best practices in four programming languages. Participants learned to instrument a sample application deployed on Cloud Run for auditing Vertex AI usage, writing structured logs, tracking performance metrics, and utilizing OpenTelemetry for tracing. The series covered Go, Java, NodeJS, and Python, using common logging and web frameworks. Missed it? Recordings and hands-on codelabs are available to guide you at:
  • Gen AI O11y for Go Developers
  • Gen AI O11y for Java Developers
  • Gen AI O11y for NodeJS Developers
  • Gen AI O11y for Python Developers
    
    Stay tuned for future events at cloudonair.withgoogle.com.

Feb 24 - Feb 28

• Rethinking 5G: Ericsson and Google Cloud are collaborating to redefine 5G mobile core networks with a focus on autonomous operations. By leveraging AI and cloud infrastructure, we aim to enhance efficiency, security, and innovation in the telecommunications industry. This partnership addresses the increasing demands of 5G and connected devices, paving the way for a more dynamic and intelligent network future, and setting the stage for next-generation technologies like 6G. Learn more here.
• Adopt a principles-centered well-architected framework to design, build, deploy, and manage Google Cloud workloads that are secure, resilient, efficient, cost-efficient, and high-performing. Also get industry and technology-focused well-architected framework guidance, like for AI and ML workloads.

Feb 17 - Feb 21

• Easier Default Backup Configuration for Compute Engine Instances - The Create a Compute Instance page in the Google Cloud console now includes enhanced data protection options to streamline backup and replication configurations. By default, an option to back up data is pre-selected, ensuring recoverability in case of unforeseen events. Learn more here.

Feb 10 - Feb 14

• [Webinar] Generative AI for Software Delivery: Strategies for IT Leaders: Generative AI is transforming the way organizations build and deploy software. Join Google Cloud experts on February 26th to learn how organizations can leverage AI to streamline their software delivery, including: the role of gen AI in software development, how to use gen AI for migration and modernization, best practices for integrating gen AI into your existing workflows, and real-world applications of gen AI in software modernization and migration through live demos. Register here.

Feb 3 - Feb 7

• SQL is great but not perfect. We’d like to invite you to reimagine how you write SQL with Google’s newest invention: pipe syntax (public available to all BigQuery and Cloud Logging users). This new extension to GoogleSQL brings a modern, streamlined approach to data analysis. Now you can write simpler, shorter and more flexible queries for faster insights. Check out this video to learn more. 

Jan 13 - Jan 17

• C4A virtual machines with Titanium SSD—the first Axion-based, general-purpose instance with Titanium SSD, are now generally available. C4A virtual machines with Titanium SSDs are custom designed by Google for cloud workloads that require real-time data processing, with low-latency and high-throughput storage performance. Titanium SSDs enhance storage security and performance while offloading local storage processing to free up CPU resources. Learn more here.

Jan 6 - Jan 10