Google DeepMind chief says Gemini 4 is nearly ready for release
Google DeepMind's new leader Koray Kavukcuoglu says Gemini 4 is in its refinement stage and will launch well before year's end, as Google looks to close the gap with rival AI developers.
Google is preparing to release its long-awaited Gemini 4 model, after lagging behind competitors on flagship AI launches in recent times.
In his first media appearance since becoming head of Google's DeepMind division, Koray Kavukcuoglu told The Information that Gemini 4 is currently in its refinement stage. He said the company intends to launch the model much earlier than the end of the year, rather than waiting until the final weeks of 2026.
Eager to ship early results
Kavukcuoglu said Google's goal is to release an early post-training output as soon as possible, noting that the team is excited about the results it has seen so far. He added that the company would continue its fast-paced iteration approach, refining the model further even after an initial release.
Context
Google has faced criticism for being slower than rivals in rolling out flagship AI models. The upcoming Gemini 4 release is seen as an effort by the company to close that gap and keep pace in the fast-moving AI industry. Kavukcuoglu's appointment as head of Google DeepMind, along with this first public appearance in the role, signals that the company wants to communicate more clearly about its AI development plans going forward.
