Google is nearing the launch of its next flagship AI model, Gemini 4, as the company aims to regain momentum in the competitive AI landscape.
Model ReleasesKoray KavukcuogluGoogle DeepMindGoogleGemini 4
Gemini 4 expected "much earlier" than end of 2026, says Google DeepMind head
Speaking to The Information in his first media appearance as the leader of Google’s DeepMind division, Koray Kavukcuoglu said that the model is currently in its refinement stage. He noted that the company aims to release an early post-training output "as soon as possible," targeting a launch "much earlier" than the end of 2026.
The move follows a period where Google's flagship releases trailed behind rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic. Since the Gemini 3 series was released in November 2025, competitors have launched newer models, such as GPT-6 and the Mythos series. Kavukcuoglu mentioned that the company "took a little bit of a step back" previously to prioritize the release of faster, less powerful Flash models instead of a Gemini 3.5 Pro update.
Despite the competition, Kavukcuoglu expressed confidence in Google's position, stating, "In my mind, it’s a certainty that we are always gonna be at the frontier."
Sources
- Gemini 4 is almost ready, says new Google DeepMind chief （The Verge AI, 2026-09-24）