Google confirms I/O 2026 for May 19–20 following AI-powered puzzle reveal

Google has set May 19–20 as the official dates for Google I/O 2026, concluding its annual date-reveal puzzle and formally opening registration for this year’s developer conference.

The two-day event will feature keynote presentations from company leadership, technical sessions, product demonstrations, and developer-focused discussions. Proceedings begin at 10 a.m. PT on the opening day, with livestream access available for global audiences. Online registration is free.

As in previous years, Google did not immediately disclose the dates. Instead, it launched an interactive “Make Build Unlock” puzzle that required participants to complete a series of mini-games before the conference timing was revealed.

The five experiences — Hole in One, Nonogram, Word Wheel, Supersonic Bot, and Stretchy Cat — were built around Gemini 3. Each game incorporated AI-generated mechanics, from dynamic puzzle boards to voice-controlled gameplay and procedurally balanced levels. Progress depended on collective participation, with the date reveal triggered once enough users completed the challenge.

The approach mirrors Google’s recent strategy of embedding AI features into interactive web experiences while using community engagement to drive visibility ahead of major announcements.

Google said this year’s conference will highlight the latest AI developments across its product ecosystem, including updates tied to Gemini and Android. The company has increasingly centered I/O around artificial intelligence capabilities, though platform updates and developer tools remain core elements of the agenda.

A detailed session list and full schedule are expected closer to the event.

While Google has not yet confirmed the physical venue, the conference has been held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, for much of the past decade, except during pandemic-related interruptions. The 2026 edition will once again run as a hybrid event, allowing developers to participate either on-site or virtually.

Historically, I/O has served as a platform for major software announcements and ecosystem updates, with hardware playing a more limited role in recent years. Given Google’s continued emphasis on AI integration across services, this year’s conference is expected to further outline how those capabilities are expanding within its developer platforms.

With registration now open and the puzzle concluded, attention shifts to what announcements Google will deliver when I/O 2026 begins in May.