Google has begun testing an updated version of its artificial intelligence model, Gemini 3.8 Flash, as the competition in the AI sector intensifies. Employees at the tech giant have started using this preliminary version on the internal coding platform, Jetski. According to one tester, the new model shows significant improvements over the previous 3.7 Flash, although he cautioned that it's too early to draw definitive conclusions.
The launch of Gemini 3.5 Pro has been delayed, leaving Google trailing behind competitors such as OpenAI and Anthropic in the AI race. In response, Google is focusing on releasing the Flash series models, which are designed to be faster and more cost-effective for users, a necessity as clients increasingly scrutinize their AI spending.
The Flash models are marketed by Google as "workhorses" for coding and deploying AI agents, which consume tokens at a higher rate than chatbots but are gaining traction across various applications. Before this, Google had introduced the Gemini Spark AI agent, while Meta is testing its own AI called Hatch.
Notably, Google has been on a rapid release schedule, with Gemini 3.6 Flash launched in July and the 3.7 Flash just three weeks later. CEO Sundar Pichai has indicated that the time between updates will be reduced to less than a month, suggesting that Gemini 3.8 Flash could be released soon. Experts have even spotted what appears to be Gemini 3.8 Flash on the Arena AI testing platform, where Google evaluates future releases.
This aggressive development strategy signifies Google's commitment to staying competitive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, which could have significant implications for the market and its competitors. As Google accelerates its AI offerings, it may force rivals to innovate more rapidly or risk falling behind.
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