At Google I/O 2026, the tech giant unveiled Pics, an AI-powered app designed to make image generation as simple as typing a prompt. Aimed at teachers and small business owners, Pics promises to democratise design by eliminating the need for editing skills or advanced tools.

The app generates everything from social media graphics to marketing materials with ease, powered by Gemini, which allows for precise text rendering and detailed visual output through Nano Banana 2. Users can easily edit their creations directly within Google Workspace, ensuring real-time collaboration across apps like Docs and Sheets.

By targeting popular design apps like Canva and AI-native competitors such as Claude Design from Anthropic, Pics signals a significant shift in the competitive landscape of AI-powered design tools. This move highlights how essential visual content has become in business, making it imperative for tech giants to remain at the forefront of innovation.

As Pics rolls out this summer, Google hints that users can download, copy, print or share their designs with others, and even pass edits to a colleague for final touches. This seamless integration into existing workflows could revolutionise how businesses create and collaborate on visual content.