Google Labs: 8 Exciting AI experiments that you can try

Google is no stranger to innovation, but even by its own standards, Google Labs has been on a roll. The newly redesigned Labs portal offers a peek into an evolving ecosystem of AI prototypes—anything from a browser assistant that clicks for you, to a next-gen tool that whips up entire podcast episodes from raw text. For businesses, marketers, researchers, and curious everyday users, these experiments hint at the unstoppable momentum of AI—and how it might streamline our work (and play) in the not-too-distant future.

Key Takeaways

• AI Experiments – Google Labs offers AI-powered tools for work, learning, and creativity.
• Automation Tools – Project Mariner automates browser tasks and saves time.
• Creative Content – Whisk and Google Vids simplify visual and video creation.
• AI Assistants – Project Astra provides real-time help across devices.
• Learning Tools – NotebookLM and Learn About improve research and education processes.

In this post, we’ll introduce 8 of Google Labs’ most intriguing projects, explain how each can be leveraged, and discuss how to gain access to these cutting-edge tools. Whether you’re an early adopter looking to innovate or a business leader curious about AI’s practical applications, there’s plenty here to spark inspiration.

1. Illuminate – Turn Research into AI-generated podcasts

Illuminate is Google’s latest AI experiment that quickly transforms scientific content in the form of links or YouTube Videos (or any sort of online content that’s not paywall or other form of copywriting protection) inputs into a two-person podcast dialogue. Similar in concept to NotebookLM’s “audio overview,” but with a tighter focus on academic or research-based subject matter – currently excelling at Math and Science topics.

Why It Matters:

• Easier Podcasting: Instead of manually writing scripts, Illuminate ingests text—particularly from arxiv.org’s vast library—and outputs a conversation that feels like a realistic chat between two hosts.
• Gemini’s Huge Context Window: With a 2-million-token capacity, Gemini can tackle lengthy or niche topics without forgetting earlier details.
• Efficiency for Learners: If you’ve ever struggled to parse a 50-page paper, this tool condenses it into an engaging dialogue, ready to listen or share with a team.
• Realistic voices: The voices from the generated podcasts are realistic and engaging and is actually quite hard to tell if they are real or not.

Currently restricted to scientific research on arxiv.org and YouTube, but it shows huge potential for more general or domain-specific podcast generation in the future. Keep an eye on it if your field involves heavy reading or academic studies.

2. Veo 2 – High-End AI Video Generation with Realistic Motion

While Google Vids helps you piece together a corporate video, Veo 2 is all about fully generated scenes—complete with camera angles, cinematic lighting, and fluid motion. It can simulate physics (like coffee pouring or cars drifting) and deliver up to 4K resolution. Despite OpenAI’s Sora getting a lot of attention and hype, after our test between the 2 Video generators, we find Veo 2 much better in realism, dynamics and details.

Why It Matters:

• Advertising & Social: Generate a short clip of your product in action without renting a studio.
• Creative Storytelling: Directors and content creators can quickly produce concept art or test animations.
• Advanced Motion: Veo 2 aims for realistic movement, setting it apart from first-generation text-to-video models.

This is still quite experimental. Complex scenes or long sequences can confuse the AI, so be mindful of using it for early drafts, mood boards, or conceptual previews rather than final production.

3. Google Vids – AI Video Creation for Work

Google Vids harnesses AI to simplify video production—whether for employee onboarding, marketing campaigns, or internal announcements. You can prompt the system with text, import some background music or stock clips, and let the AI handle the transitions and storyboarding.

Why It Matters:

• Lower Production Costs: No need for specialized designers or videographers to produce a crisp corporate update.
• Collaborative Editing: It’s integrated with Workspace, so you can share with your team just like a Google Doc.
• Gemini-Driven Storyboards: The AI auto-generates a scene outline, suggests footage, and helps shape your narrative.

Marketing folks can whip up product teasers or ad concepts in minutes; HR can create “welcome to the team” videos. The sweet spot is short clips (up to 10 minutes), so keep it concise. Google Labs aims to be a go to platform for creative work and beyond.

4. Project Mariner – Where AI meets your Browser

Project Mariner is a research prototype built atop Gemini 2.0 and part of Google Labs, that acts like a personal co-pilot for your web browser. It leverages strong multimodal capabilities—interpreting text, code, images, forms—and can automate website navigation, data input, or other repetitive online tasks you’d normally do manually.

Why It Matters:

• Automation in Real Time: Imagine letting Mariner fill out lengthy forms or handle multi-step research tasks, saving time for more strategic work.
• In-Context Reasoning: It doesn’t just click blindly; Mariner “thinks” about your instructions, can ask for clarity, and even reveals how it arrives at conclusions.
• Business & Marketing: Streamline competitor research, gather market intelligence, or handle administrative tasks with minimal human intervention.

This one’s invite-only, but you can join the “trusted tester” waitlist on Google Labs. Project Mariner might just redefine how you tackle your daily browsing chores.

5. Learn About – AI-Powered Learning Modules for Everybody

Learn About merges the formidable knowledge of Gemini with proven teaching methods. It can help you delve into unfamiliar topics by generating lessons, quizzes, “common misconceptions,” or a “stop and think” approach. You can highlight words to get definitions, images, or in-depth clarifications.

Why It Matters:

• Personalized Micro-Learning: Perfect for busy professionals or students who need a structured approach to upskilling or exploring a new area.
• Corporate or Educational: HR teams can craft training modules, or teachers can transform standard course notes into dynamic e-learning.
• Engaging Flow: The side-by-side approach of reading and quizzing yourself ensures you’re not just passively skimming material.

This can change the face of educational system forever – which is know for the slow pace of transition and upgrading itself. It could be a well-needed revolution towards personalized, engaging learning over traditional methods. Combining Google Labs’s multiple experiments such as Illuminate, Notebook LM and Learn About would greatly enhance your learning journey, as they are aimed at different learning styles.

6. Project Astra – A Universal AI Assistant on Phone or Glasses

Project Astra envisions a personal AI that follows you across devices, from Android smartphones to prototype smart glasses. It remembers key details (up to 10 minutes of context), accesses tools like Search, Maps, and Lens, and interprets what your camera sees.

Why It Matters:

• Seamless Switching: Start a conversation on your phone, pick it up on glasses, and Astra won’t skip a beat.
• Natural Interaction: Voice or video-based prompts let you just show it what’s in front of you and ask for details or suggestions.
• Real-Time Insights: Marketers could use it at events, scanning competitor booths for quick intelligence, or travelers might get instant foreign-language assistance.

Because it ties into Google’s broader ecosystem, Astra can become an omnipresent helper—like a cross between a wearable translator, personal organizer, and navigation guide. Think Jarvis – your smart, helpful assistant with superpowers. However, is currently in a waiting list and not yet officially released.

7. Whisk – Visual Creation without the typing

Whisk flips the traditional approach to AI image generation on its head. Instead of typing out elaborate text prompts, you simply upload images: one to serve as your subject, another as your scene, and a third as your style. The result? Clever, often whimsical remix images created by blending these visual cues.

Why It Matters:

• Faster Creative Brainstorming: Perfect for marketing teams needing quick concept sketches or product mockups.
• Playful Exploration: Whisk is not for pixel-perfect editing, but rather rapid visual exploration—no more fussing with cryptic text prompts.
• Powered by Gemini & Imagen 3: This robust combination ensures the tool can interpret and transform key aspects of your images with surprising accuracy.

For brand designers or agencies, Whisk might help jumpstart design thinking. Let it conjure variations on brand mascots, promotional materials, or quick mood boards before refining the final product elsewhere.

8. MusicFX – Your AI DJ for Quick, Royalty-Free Beats

MusicFX simplifies music creation by generating short, original soundtracks from text prompts. Whether you want a chill lo-fi background or a dramatic orchestral piece, the AI whips up a track you can download and share.

Why It Matters:

• Zero Musical Experience Needed: Perfect for small businesses that want unique tracks for promotional videos, or podcasters looking for original intros.
• Instant Inspiration: Marketers can align mood and genre with brand identity in seconds.
• Playful Alternative: While not a hyper-advanced composer, MusicFX is a fun way to explore AI-generated tunes for personal or professional use.

Combine MusicFX with Google Vids: let AI produce both your video and audio, resulting in a near one-stop shop for marketing content or social media campaigns.

Google Labs – Innovation is happening fast

The newly reimagined Google Labs is teeming with ideas that could transform how we work, learn, and create. But remember: these experiments remain works in progress. Expect occasional hiccups or waitlists, and don’t be surprised if features change overnight. That’s part of the excitement of Labs: you’re on the frontlines, helping shape tomorrow’s AI tools.

If you’re looking for a hands-on glimpse at the future, don’t wait. Sign in to Google Labs, sign up for the experiments that pique your interest, and see for yourself how next-generation AI might soon augment everything from brand campaigns to academic deep-dives. The future of work, research, and creativity could be just a few clicks—and an AI waitlist—away.