Google Pics Lands at I/O 2026 - AI Image Editing Comes to Drive, Slides, and Workspace

Google has unveiled Google Pics at I/O 2026, an AI-powered image creation and editing tool integrated directly into Workspace applications. The tool is powered by Google's new Nano Banana model and features automatic object segmentation, allowing users to move, resize, recolour, or swap elements within images with just a few clicks. Google Pics is embedded within Drive and Slides, enabling collaborative image editing across Workspace teams. Users can perform complex edits such as swapping objects (like changing a dog to a cat), altering the colour of specific elements, or editing and translating text whilst preserving the original font and layout. This collaborative approach distinguishes it from traditional image editing software that typically requires individual desktop applications. Google's positioning emphasises making AI image generation feel more like traditional editing rather than the unpredictable nature of current AI generators. The company acknowledges the common frustration of generating multiple unsatisfactory images before achieving the desired result. This approach puts Google in direct competition with established players like Canva and Adobe Express, particularly targeting the business infographics and presentation market. The preview will be available this summer for Google AI Pro, Ultra, and Workspace business subscribers. Google's strategic bet appears to be that future image editing will increasingly happen within collaborative workspace environments like Slides, rather than specialised software like Photoshop, as users seek quick modifications for presentations and business materials.