In a nutshell: Like different tech giants, Google is making an attempt to combine its new AI language fashions throughout its services, together with its ChromeOS desktop working system. Though the method might be gradual, Google plans to make use of Android as a pathway to embed AI into ChromeOS’s foundations.

Google just lately introduced plans to combine the Android Linux Kernel, Android frameworks, and different Android stack options into the core of ChromeOS. Whereas the corporate did not provide a transparent timeline for the transition, it confirmed that it is a part of an effort to deploy AI options extra broadly throughout ChromeOS.

Preliminary work on bringing Android and ChromeOS nearer collectively has solely simply begun, so finish customers will not expertise the modifications for some time. Nonetheless, Google guarantees the transition will really feel seamless and will not essentially alter the working system’s distinctive traits.

Though the corporate has tried to combine Android and ChromeOS earlier than, Google’s cell and laptop computer working methods stay distinct. Android gadgets do not assist ChromeOS software program, however some Chromebook fashions can run Android apps.

The corporate’s new cross-platform effort began with a virtualization layer designed to run some variations of ChromeOS on Android {hardware}. Google demonstrated the open-source “ferrochrome” working on a Pixel 8, which projected its video feed to an exterior show.

Android has a local desktop mode, nevertheless it has restricted performance. Current stories counsel Android 15 may refine the desktop mode however probably will not flip it right into a viable PC OS different. Makes an attempt to combine ChromeOS and Android may have an effect on these plans.

Google accelerated plans to embed AI options into Chromebooks late final yr when introducing its Chromebook Plus fashions. The primary instruments launched have been designed for picture modifying and improved lighting throughout convention calls. Extra enhancements are forthcoming.

Final month, builders added writing help performance, AI-generated backgrounds, and its Gemini planning assistant. Moreover, Gemini on Chromebook Plus will quickly be capable of summarize web sites and PDFs. Full integration of the Android Linux Kernel and Android framework with ChromeOS might enable for even higher options in upcoming variations.

Google’s most public-facing AI product – AI Overviews – can be the one which receives probably the most backlash. The corporate quickly pulled Overviews after customers highlighted weird hallucinations and plagiarism considerations. Nonetheless, Google downplayed the criticism whereas promising to tweak the search function.