Google I/O 2018: Expect Google to Flex Its AI Muscle

For Google, its annual I/O developer conference isn't just a place to show off the next major version of Android and get coders excited about building apps. Though that stuff is a big part of the show, I/O is also a chance for Google to flex its AI muscle and emphasize its massive reach at a time when every major tech company is racing to best each other in artificial intelligence. And with its emphasis on cloud-based software and apps, I/O is the most important event of the year for Google--as least as long as its hardware efforts are still such a small fraction of its overall business. WIRED will be on the ground covering it, but until Google CEO Sundar Pichai kicks off the keynote Tuesday May 8 at 10 am Pacific, here's an idea of what to expect. Just like every year, Android will be front and center at the 2018 edition of IO.