Google I/O Returns as Free Virtual Event With Major Keynote Announcements
Google I/O makes its return as a free, online conference after skipping last year, featuring a highly anticipated keynote led by CEO Sundar Pichai. The event kicks off with a unique AI-powered musical pre-show before diving into the latest updates across Google's consumer and developer platforms.
Google I/O returns in 2021 as a completely free, virtual event after taking a hiatus last year, allowing anyone to tune in easily through YouTube. The main conference kicks off on Tuesday, May 18, at 10 a.m. PT and continues with various sessions through Thursday, May 20.
Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai starts the event with the main consumer-facing keynote, where he shares "significant" announcements about how Google is organizing the world's information. Viewers who tune in 20 minutes early enjoy a special AI-powered musical performance featuring Tune-Yards and Blob Opera.
The two-hour keynote streams live on the official Google YouTube channel, complete with an American Sign Language interpretation option, and is immediately followed by a separate Developer Keynote. Tech outlets like 9to5Google provide continuous coverage throughout all three days to break down the various product and platform updates revealed during the sessions.