Google I/O 2025 marked a noteworthy shift in tone with a significant emphasis on artificial intelligence, setting it apart from previous years. This annual event, designed for developers and AI enthusiasts, unveiled many exciting advancements. However, the most striking announcement was the debut of the Google AI Ultra subscription plan, priced at an extravagant $249 per month. This high cost seems to symbolize who Google I/O truly caters to, and frankly, it’s not regular consumers like myself.
The Google AI Ultra plan offers extensive features, including access to cutting-edge tools like the Gemini 2.5 model and innovative projects such as Veo 3 and Project Mariner, along with a hefty slice of Google One storage and a YouTube Premium subscription. Essentially, this plan serves as Google’s all-encompassing AI package. It’s clearly targeted at those who can leverage such capabilities for their work, making it financially inaccessible for the average user. Despite the grandeur of the event, I found myself feeling somewhat disconnected.
The keynote was filled with complex technical presentations that catered mostly to developers. Observers like Jerry Hildenbrand note that while the conference may appear dull to some, it serves the vital purpose of ensuring that platforms thrive through third-party engagement. Many of the products showcased felt lofty and complex, with AI capabilities that may not resonate with everyday users. For instance, while the idea of advanced AI app development sounds impressive, most average consumers are unlikely to benefit directly from such innovations.
The emphasis on high-level developer solutions overshadowed the consumer-focused features, which seemed relegated to a pre-recorded segment released before the main event. Overall, I/O positioned itself as a platform for Google’s long-term vision focused on AI and Search, signaling a shift in priorities that may leave regular consumers benefitting from basic features waiting for future updates. For now, I am unwilling to spend $250 a month on a subscription that feels far beyond my reach or needs.