OpenClaw started a small revolution in the world of AI by showing what is possible with AI agents, and at Google I/O 2026, the company finally unveiled its AI agent.
At its annual developer conference, Google unveiled Gemini Spark, a personal AI agent that can draw on users’ personal files while using Gemini’s intelligence.
During the keynote, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the Gemini Spark beta will soon be available to subscribers of Google AI Ultra, the company’s premium AI subscription plan. In addition, Pichasi said Spark will use the recently announced Gemini 3.5 Flash model.
While OpenClaw has become more popular in the AI and startup communities, Google has a bigger reach. Billions of people use Google products, and the company says its Gemini app has 900 million monthly active users. Therefore, Gemini Spark can bring agent AI for the first time.
Here’s why Gemini Spark might have an edge over tools like OpenClaw.
Mashable 101 Favorites: Vote for your favorite creator today!
Gemini Spark is a cloud-based AI agent
Credit: Google
Popularly, OpenClaw runs on a local device like a Mac Mini. Soon after the tool went viral (first under the name Clawdbot, then Moltbot), Mac Minis were quickly sold on Amazon and other retailers. However, Gemini Spark is a fully cloud-based AI agent. That makes it very beginner friendly, as there is no hardware or complicated installation process to worry about. And when you turn off your laptop, Spark continues to run.
Mashable Light Speed
Gemini Spark will be able to run 24/7 in the background, with no additional devices required.
Gemini Spark will have better access to your data
Second, if you’re already a Google user, Gemini Spark will have native access to your Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive. So, if you ask Gemini Spark to organize an event, it can pull contacts from Gmail, artwork from Google Drive, and a schedule from Google Docs. It will also be built into Google Chrome and run on desktop, Android, and iOS devices.
Of course, all this can be accomplished if you give OpenClaw access to all these tools, but Gemini Spark will make this process faster.
Google I/O: Gmail gets an AI voice tool that lets you talk to your inbox
Cybersecurity peace of mind
OpenClaw has a DIY ethos, and, because it has a high level of control over your hardware, it can be a serious cyber security challenge. Some of those problems have been solved now that OpenClaw is part of Anthropic, of course. Still, billions of people are familiar with Google and trust it with their emails, private documents, and photos.
Presumably, Spark will be protected by the full power of Google cybersecurity.
In addition, Google announced a new way to stop AI agents like Spark from overspending your money. Google will introduce something called Agent Payments Protocol (AP2). Google says this protocol prevents agents from misbehaving and making unintended purchases. Users will be able to set strict limits on how much Spark can spend, what they can buy, and which vendors they can use.
Google is rolling out Gemini Spark slowly, and the beta will be available soon to AI Ultra subscribers. That allows Google to test Spark with Gemini power users before rolling it out to everyday users.
For all these reasons, Gemini Spark could be the first AI agent used by many Internet users.
