Google unveils 'Gemini 3 Flash' AI model focused on speed and cost

AI Development - Google announces Gemini 3 Flash, a new AI model prioritizing speed and margins over model prestige [1] - Gemini 3 Flash is designed for real-world applications within Google's products like Search, Ads, and Gmail, where speed and cost are crucial [2] - Google's ability to run AI at both ends of the market is attributed to its superior models and ownership of the AI pipeline [3] Autonomous Driving - Waymo - Waymo is in talks to raise over $15 billion at a valuation as high as $110 billion, more than double its last valuation [4] - Alphabet is leading the funding round, allowing outside investors to participate, providing Google with financial flexibility and potential for a future spin-off [5] - Analysts do not fully factor in Waymo's value into Alphabet's overall valuation, unlike the high expectations embedded in Tesla's forward PE multiple [6] - Waymo is delivering 450,000 rides per week without safety drivers, indicating a significant lead in the robo-taxi market [7] - Waymo's autonomous driving miles logged are significantly ahead of Tesla's [8] - Despite Tesla's vertical integration advantages, Waymo is currently demonstrating incredible scale [9]