Our Takeaways from Google Cloud Next 2025

This year, we packed our bags for Las Vegas to join thousands of innovators at Google Cloud Next 2025 (April 9–11), Google’s flagship conference for cloud and collaboration tech. As Google Workspace experts, we at Steegle were eager to dive into the latest tools and trends shaping how businesses work smarter. Here’s a quick look at what the event was all about, why we attended, and some standout announcements that have us excited for what’s next.

What Is Google Cloud Next?

Google Cloud Next is where the global cloud community—businesses, developers, and partners—comes together to explore Google’s newest tech. From productivity tools like Workspace to cutting-edge infrastructure, the event showcases solutions for every industry. With keynotes, breakout sessions, and hands-on demos, it’s a hub for learning and networking. This year’s theme, “The new way to cloud,” highlighted practical innovations to streamline work and boost efficiency.

Why Steegle Was There

As a trusted Google Workspace partner, we attended to stay ahead of the curve and connect with those shaping the future of digital collaboration. Events like these are where innovation meets inspiration—and Steegle is committed to bringing both back to our clients.

We also took the opportunity to meet in person with some of our amazing clients and partners across the education, enterprise, and healthcare sectors. It was a pleasure exchanging ideas with organizations already using Steegle.One to power internal collaboration, as well as those exploring Google Workspace transformation for the first time.

And if it felt a little more crowded this year—you weren’t imagining it. When we attended in 2024, there were “only” 30,000 delegates. This year? We understand that number jumped to around 45,000 (though it’s not officially confirmed). Everything felt bigger and busier—and yes, the lunch food stations ran out more than once! 😅 Vegas knows how to host, but Next 2025 definitely pushed capacity.

A Truly “Next-Level” Experience at the Sphere

One of the most unexpected highlights? Gaining privileged access to the Sphere—Las Vegas’s jaw-dropping, ultra-immersive venue. The Sphere is a 360-degree digital canvas, and Google gave attendees a glimpse into how they’re pushing the limits of cinematic storytelling using AI.

In a stunning showcase, we saw how Google has been reimagining The Wizard of Oz as a Sphere-compatible experience. Traditional films are made for flat screens, but the Sphere demands complete visual environments. That means entire scenes and characters had to be rebuilt using AI, even if they were never shown fully onscreen in the original film.

This involved a technique called “outpainting”—where AI generates the missing parts of a scene to make it feel whole in a panoramic, dome-shaped format. For example, if only Dorothy’s head is visible in the original scene, AI reconstructs her full body. If characters are just off-screen in the movie, the AI places them naturally into the new extended visual field. The result? A fully immersive, 360° cinematic experience that feels like stepping into the story.

It was a remarkable example of how AI and creative storytelling are converging—not just for entertainment, but as a metaphor for how we all need to expand our “field of vision” in the digital workplace.

Big Announcements from Next 2025

Of course, we couldn’t leave without geeking out over some seriously powerful updates. ### Big Announcements from Next 2025

Google unveiled over 200 updates—here are our top picks:

• Workspace Flows: Automate tasks across Docs, Sheets, and Chat. Picture HR onboarding—pulling forms from Drive, updating Sheets, and notifying managers, all hands-free. We’re excited to weave this into Steegle.One.

• Docs & Sheets Upgrades: Docs now offers audio summaries (like instant report “podcasts”), while Sheets’ “Help me analyze” turns data into insights for anyone—no stats degree needed.

• Compliance Made Easy: New data residency options let you control where Workspace data lives (e.g., EU or US), a win for healthcare clients meeting HIPAA rules.

• AI as a Helper: Tools like Gemini and AI agents quietly streamline work—drafting emails, analyzing data, or automating small tasks—so your team can focus on bigger ideas.

Wrapping Up

Google Cloud Next 2025 was more than a tech conference—it was a vision of the future made real. Whether it was hands-on learning, partner connections, or seeing how AI is transforming everything from spreadsheets to cinema, we left inspired and energized.

At Steegle, we’re already putting this inspiration to work—helping our clients embrace new tools, streamline their intranets, and collaborate with confidence.

Didn’t make it to Vegas? No problem—we’re happy to share what we learned.

Reach out to chat about what’s next for your Google Workspace environment.