Our Takeaways from Google Next ‘26
Eight distillers. Three days in Las Vegas. The conversation about AI has shifted - from "what could this do?" to "look what it's already doing." At Google Cloud Next '26, we were deep in it. Talking to the security leaders rebuilding how enterprises defend themselves. Sitting with the teams rewiring how they collaborate day to day. Hearing from the partnerships that are reshaping industries. And watching the Asia Pacific region show up not as followers, but as leaders. These are the things we brought back.
At Google Cloud Next ’26, one thing was abundantly clear: we’ve finally moved past the "experimental" phase of AI. The infrastructure is here, the models are mature, and the agentic shift is real. But for the B2B leaders I spoke with in Las Vegas, the question isn't if they should adopt these tools—it’s how to do it without breaking existing workflows or wasting capital on "AI for AI’s sake."
Agentic Security was a key theme, and capturing stories of how organizations are building a "secure-by-design" foundation. This isn't just about protection; it's about giving your team the confidence to innovate at machine speed, knowing your data and your reputation are defended by the best of Google’s AI.
- Steve, Global CEO
The security landscape isn't just changing; it’s accelerating. At Google Cloud Next, we sat down with leaders from HCA Healthcare, Genuine Parts Company (GPC), and Deutsche Börse Group to cut through the noise.
If you’re balancing the scales of ROI and risk, these three strategic shifts are your new North Star -
Defending at "Machine Speed": AI-weaponized threats have made human response times obsolete. Leaders like HCA Healthcare and Deutsche Börse are building "Cyborg SOC" models where AI automates the response loop — keeping critical infrastructure running without missing a beat.
Trading Noise for Contextual Clarity: More tools isn't the answer — unified architecture is. Genuine Parts Company cut false positives by 42% by replacing their fragmented security stack with a single, coherent system, freeing their best people to focus on what actually matters.
The "Secure by Design" Vision: Security can't be bolted on after the fact — it has to be architected from the ground up. When protection is embedded into every layer of the business, it stops being a cost center and starts becoming a competitive advantage.
- Becky, VP - Global Client Strategy
The distillery and Google marketing team conducted 14 interviews with Google Partners and their customers at Google Cloud Next '26. Overall, these insightful discussions highlighted a pivotal shift in how organizations approach digital transformation, reinforcing the promise of a "New Way Now." A primary takeaway is that the enterprise is rapidly moving toward an agentic future, where data foundations are no longer passive repositories but active, secure and compliant orchestration layers.
Organizations consistently choose Google Cloud over other platforms due to its unique ability to combine best-in-class infrastructure with native AI integration.
- Bob, Head of NorthAM Delivery
Stepping into Google Cloud Next 2026 felt like a front-row seat to a new digital nervous system coming online. Against the Las Vegas neon, the conversation shifted from simple chatbots to autonomous agents that actually "do" the work. Between the hum of the crowd and Benson Boone’s backflips at Allegiant Stadium, the week was a collective realization that our tools have evolved–they aren't just software anymore, but active partners in how we solve problems.
- Jared, Head of Creative and AI
The words of the week at Google Cloud Next 2026 were agentic AI and Gemini Enterprise. At the Google Workspace Transform Studio, industry leaders went beyond sharing day-to-day productivity tips and dove head first into the ways their teams are fundamentally reshaping the way they work. No matter their use case, each interviewee had a deep passion for and excitement about their partnership with Google. They spoke highly of how Google helps them nurture a unified, well-informed, and enthusiastic workforce, powered up by the newest in AI technology.
- Dyllan, NorthAM Writer
At Google Cloud Next 2026, we conducted interviews with partners and customers about how they’re working together to create the future of their industries. One common thread across all interviews? The solutions you build are only as strong as the people you’re building them with.
We discovered that many of these collaborations began as introductions at past Next events, proving the power these in-person meet-ups can have on how businesses evolve.
- Mackenzie, Senior NorthAM Writer
What stood out most was seeing Singaporean organizations commanding the global stage. Watching FairPrice showcase their visionary "store of tomorrow" booth was a powerful testament to how local retail is innovating at the highest level. Equally impressive was seeing institutions like DBS and CSIT highlighted for their cutting-edge deployment of agentic defense, proving that our region is not just adopting next-generation cybersecurity—we are setting the standard.
Perhaps the most refreshing takeaway from the event was the sheer variety of applications on display. The use cases are continually expanding, proving that AI is moving rapidly beyond standard corporate functions.
- Ben, APAC Account Director
Agents, agents, and more agents—did I mention agents? We are now seeing the fastest technological transformation with the agentic era, and Google Cloud customers are driving it. We saw over 100 customers from Asia Pacific participate in this year’s NEXT, spearheading the discussion on the impacts of AI in the workplace.
AI is being utilized to bring more personalized and proactive engagement to every customer touchpoint, ensuring that beyond passive automation, they are able to drive measurable returns to help accelerate business growth. It is truly inspiring to see how countries in the APAC region are driving AI adoption.
- Miko, APAC Customer Services and Content Manager
Congratulations on a brilliant event. We’re looking forward to Next ‘27 already!