Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) (GOOG) just dropped what CEO Sundar Pichai is calling Google's most sophisticated AI model yet. On Tuesday, the company unveiled Gemini 3, and if you're keeping score at home, this is Google's latest move in an increasingly high-stakes game of artificial intelligence chess with OpenAI.

Meet Gemini 3: Google's Answer to GPT-5

Google is positioning Gemini 3 as a significant upgrade from Gemini 2.5, emphasizing its multimodal and agentic capabilities. Translation: it's better at understanding what you actually want and can handle more complex tasks without you needing to write a dissertation in the prompt box.

"Gemini 3 is our most intelligent model that helps you bring any idea to life," Google said in its announcement.

Pichai explained on X (you know, the platform formerly known as Twitter) that the system is built to help users "get what you need with less prompting." The idea is that Gemini 3 understands intent more accurately and handles nuanced requests with greater sophistication.

Starting Tuesday, select paid subscribers can access Gemini 3 through the Gemini app, AI Mode in Search, and enterprise tools. Broader rollout is coming in the weeks ahead.

Reimagining Search With Visual, Interactive Responses

Here's where things get interesting. Google says Gemini 3 will power generative interfaces that go beyond simple text responses. Think magazine-style explanations, interactive calculators, and dynamic layouts with images, tables, and grid arrangements.

Google demonstrated this by having the model explain Van Gogh's works using contextual visuals and narrative summaries. It's search results, but make it visually compelling.

Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, noted in the announcement that Gemini 3 is designed to move away from "cliché and flattery" in favor of more honest and insightful responses. Because apparently, AI has been telling us what we want to hear rather than what we need to know.

The AI Arms Race Heats Up

Google's launch comes as OpenAI continues refining GPT-5. This month alone, the AI startup released two improved versions that are reportedly "warmer," more capable, and better at following instructions. Both companies are clearly racing to maintain their edge as enterprise and consumer demand for AI capabilities accelerates.

And the competition isn't just between Google and OpenAI. Microsoft Corp (MSFT), Meta Platforms, Inc. (META), and Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) are all in the game. Collectively, these tech giants are expected to spend approximately $600 billion this year on capital expenditures for AI infrastructure. That's not a typo—$600 billion.

New Tools for Developers and Enterprises

Google also introduced Antigravity, a new agent platform that allows developers to build AI applications at a higher, task-oriented level. The idea is to make it easier to create practical AI tools without getting lost in low-level technical details.

For businesses, Gemini 3 integrates through Vertex AI, where it can handle tasks like generating onboarding materials, analyzing videos and factory images, or supporting procurement workflows. These are the kinds of practical enterprise applications that actually drive adoption and revenue.

The numbers suggest Google's AI strategy is gaining traction. The Gemini app now has 650 million monthly active users, and Google's AI Overviews feature reaches two billion monthly users. Those are substantial user bases that give Google meaningful distribution advantages.

As the AI landscape continues evolving at breakneck speed, Google is clearly betting that Gemini 3's improved intelligence and more intuitive interface will help it capture and retain users in an increasingly crowded market. Whether that $600 billion collective investment from Big Tech pays off remains to be seen, but the competition is certainly getting interesting.