Tag Archives: Influence

#WeArePlay | Meet the founders changing women’s lives: Women’s History Month Stories

Posted by Leticia Lago – Developer Marketing

In celebration of Women’s History month, we’re celebrating the founders behind groundbreaking apps and games from around the world - made by women or for women. Let's discover four of my favorites in this latest batch of nine #WeArePlay stories.


Múkami Kinoti Kimotho

Royelles Revolution / Royelles Revolution: Gaming For Girls (USA)

Múkami Kinoti Kimotho – Royelles Revolution / Royelles- Gaming For Girls | USA

Múkami's journey began when she noticed the lack of representation for girls in the gaming industry. Determined to change this narrative, she created Royelles, a game designed to inspire girls and non-binary people to pursue careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) fields. The game is anchored in fierce female avatars like the real life NASA scientist Mara who voices a character. Royelles is revolutionizing the gaming landscape and empowering the next generation of innovators. Múkami's excited to release more gamified stories and learning modules, and a range of extended reality and AI-powered avatars based on the game’s characters.

"If we're going to effectively educate Gen Z and Gen Alpha, we have to meet them in the metaverse and leverage gamified play as a means of driving education, awareness, inspiration and empowerment.” 

- Múkami



Leonika Sari Njoto Boedioetomo

Reblood: Blood Services App (Indonesia)

Leonika Sari Njoto Boedioetomo – Reblood / Blood Services App | Indonesia

When her university friend needed an urgent blood transfusion but discovered there was none available in the blood bank, Leonika became aware of the blood donation shortage in Indonesia. Her mission to address this led her to create Reblood, an app connecting blood donors with those in need. With over 140,000 blood donations facilitated to date, Reblood is not only saving lives but also promoting healthier lifestyles with a recently added feature that allows people to find the most affordable medical checkups.

“Our goal is to save more lives by raising awareness of blood donation in Indonesia and promoting healthier lifestyles for blood donors.” 

- Leonika



Luciane Antunes dos Santos and Renato Hélio Rauber

CARSUL / Car Sul: Urban Mobility App (Brazil)

Luciane Antunes dos Santos and Renato Hélio Rauber – Car Sul: Urban Mobility App | Brazil

Luciane was devastated when she lost her son in a car accident. Her and her husband Renato's loss led them to develop Carsul, an urban mobility app prioritizing safety and security. By providing safe transportation options and partnering with government health programs to chauffeur patients long distances to larger hospitals, Carsul is not only preventing accidents but also saving lives. Luciane and Renato's dedication to protecting others from the pain they've experienced is ongoing and they plan to expand to more cities in Brazil.

“Carsul was born from this story of loss, inspiring me to protect other lives. Redefining myself in this way is very rewarding.” 

- Luciane



Diariata (Diata) N'Diaye

Resonantes / App-Elles: Safety App for Women (France)

Diariata (Diata) N'Diaye – Resonantes /App-Elles: Safety App for Women | France

After hearing the stories of young people who had experienced abuse that was similar to her own, Spoken word artist Diata developed App-Elles – an app that allows women to send alerts when they're in danger. By connecting users with support networks and professional services, App-Elles is empowering women to reclaim their safety and seek help when needed.Diata also runs writing and recording workshops to help victims overcome their experiences with violence and has plans to expand her app with the introduction of a discreet wearable that sends out alerts.

“I realized from my work on the ground that there were victims of violence who needed help and support systems. This was my inspiration to create App-Elles." 

- Diata


Discover more #WeArePlay stories and share your favorites.



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GDE Women’s History Month Feature: Gema Parreño Piqueras, AI/ML GDE

Posted by Justyna Politanska-Pyszko – Program Manager, Google Developer Experts

For Women's History Month, we're shining a spotlight on Gema Parreño Piqueras, an AI/ML Google Developer Expert (GDE) from Madrid, Spain. GDEs are recognized by Google for their outstanding technical expertise and passion for sharing knowledge.
Gema Parreño Piqueras, AI/ML GDE, Madrid, Spain
Gema Parreño Piqueras, AI/ML GDE, Madrid, Spain

Gema's dedication to the GDE program makes her a true leader within the Google Developers community, and her work in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning pushes the boundaries of Google's technological capabilities.

Gema is a force to be reckoned with in the world of data science. As a data scientist at Izertis and a GDE, she's not only making significant contributions to the field of AI/ML but also blazing a trail for women in tech. Her unique background in architecture and her passion for problem-solving led her to an impressive career in AI/ML and development of her extraordinary project – helping NASA track asteroids! Learn more about her projects incorporating AI:

NASA Project: Deep Asteroid

Gema's architectural skills proved invaluable when she turned her attention to AI. In 2016, she created the program Deep Asteroid for NASA's International Space Apps Challenge. This innovative program assists scientists in detecting, tracking, and classifying asteroids, potentially protecting our planet from future threats.

Journey to AI/ML

Intrigued by the potential of AI, Gema embarked on a journey that merged her architectural background with cutting-edge technology. Her experience with 3D modeling translated seamlessly into the world of machine learning, giving her a fresh perspective. Over the past seven years, she's overcome challenges and established herself as a true expert.

As a Google Developer Expert, Gema has found a vibrant community that has fueled her growth. She has attended numerous GDE events throughout Europe and had the opportunity to collaborate with Google teams. This experience was instrumental in the development of Deep Asteroid, demonstrating the power of community and access to advanced technology.

Gema’s advice for women aspiring to enter the field is simple and powerful: "Don't be afraid to experiment, fail, and learn from those failures. Persistence and a willingness to dive into the unknown are what will set you apart." Gema encourages women to find supportive communities, like the GDE program, where they can network, learn, and grow.

You can find Gema on LinkedIn, GitHub and X (formerly known as twitter).


The Google Developer Experts (GDE) program is a global network of highly experienced technology experts, influencers, and thought leaders who actively support developers, companies, and tech communities by speaking at events and publishing content.

How We Made the CES 2024 AR Experience: Android Virtual Guide, powered by Geospatial Creator

Posted by Kira Rich – Senior Product Marketing Manager, AR and Bradford Lee – Product Marketing Manager, AR

Navigating a large-scale convention like CES can be overwhelming. To enhance the attendee experience, we've created a 360° event-scale augmented reality (AR) experience in our Google booth. Our friendly Android Bot served as a digital guide, providing:

  • Seamless wayfinding within our booth, letting you know about the must try demos
  • Delightful content, only possible with AR, like replacing the Las Vegas Convention Center facade with our Generative AI Wallpapers or designing an interactive version of Android on Sphere for those who missed it in real life
  • Helpful navigation tips and quick directions to transportation hubs (Monorail, shuttle buses)

In partnership with Left Field Labs and Adobe, we used Google’s latest AR technologies to inspire developers, creators, and brands on how to elevate the conference experience for attendees. Here’s a behind the scenes look at how we used Geospatial Creator, powered by ARCore and Photorealistic 3D Tiles from Google Maps Platform, to promote the power and usefulness of Google on Android.

Moving image showing end-to-end experience
Using Google’s Geospatial Creator, we helped attendees navigate CES with the Android Bot as a virtual guide, providing helpful and delightful immersive tips on what to experience in our Google Booth.


Tools We Used


Geospatial Creator in Adobe Aero Pre-Release

Geospatial Creator in Adobe Aero enables creators and developers to easily visualize where in the real-world they want to place their digital content, similar to how Google Earth visualizes the world. With Geospatial Creator, we were able to bring up Las Vegas Convention Center in Photorealistic 3D Tiles from Google Maps Platform and understand the surroundings of where the Google Booth would be placed. In this case, the booth did not exist in the Photorealistic 3D Tiles because it was a temporary build for the conference. However, by utilizing the 3D model of the booth and the coordinates of where it would be built, we were able to easily estimate and visualize the booth inside of Adobe Aero and build the experience around it seamlessly, including anchoring points for the digital content and the best attendee viewing points for the experience.


"At CES 2024, the Android AR experience, created in partnership with the Google AR, Android, and Adobe teams, brought smiles and excitement to attendees - ultimately that's what it's all about. The experience not only showcased the amazing potential of app-less AR with Geospatial Creator, but also demonstrated its practical applications in enhancing event navigation and engagement, all accessible with a simple QR scan." 
– Yann Caloghiris, Executive Creative Director at Left Field Labs
Moving image of developer timelapse
Adobe Aero provided us with an easy way to visualize and anchor the AR experience around the 3D model of the Google Booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

With Geospatial Creator, we had multiple advantages for designing the experience:

  • Rapid iteration with live previews of 3D assets and high fidelity visualization of the location with Photorealistic 3D Tiles from Google Maps Platform were crucial for building a location-based, AR experience without having to be there physically. 
  • Easy selection of the Las Vegas Convention Center and robust previews of the environment, as you would navigate in Google Earth, helped us visualize and develop the AR experience with precision and alignment to the real world location.

In addition, Google Street View imagery generated a panoramic skybox, which helped visualize the sight lines in Cinema 4D for storyboards. We also imported this and Photorealistic 3D Tiles from Google Maps Platform into Unreal Engine to visualize occlusion models at real world scale.

In Adobe Aero, we did the final assembly of all 3D assets and created all interactive behaviors in the experience. We also used it for animating simpler navigational elements, like the info panel assets in the booth.

AR development was primarily done with Geospatial Creator in Adobe Aero. Supplementary tools, including Unreal Engine and Autodesk Maya, were used to bring the experience to life.

Adobe Aero also supports Google Play Instant apps and App Clips1, which means attendees did not have to download an app to access the experience. They simply scanned a QR code at the booth and launched directly into the experience, which proved to be ideal for onboarding users and reducing friction especially at a busy event like CES.

Unreal Engine was used to bring in the Photorealistic 3D Tiles, allowing them to build the 3D animated Android Bot that really interacted closely with the surrounding environment. This approach was crucial for previews of the experience, allowing us to understand sight lines and where to best locate content for optimal viewing from the Google booth.

Autodesk Maya was used to create the Android Bot character, environmental masks, and additional 3D props for the different scenes in the experience. It was also used for authoring the final materials.

Babylon exporter was used for exporting from Autodesk Maya to glTF format for importing into Adobe Aero.

Figma was used for designing flat user interface elements that could be easily imported into Adobe Aero.

Cinema 4D was used for additional visualization and promotional shots, which helped with stakeholder alignment during the development of the experience.



Designing the experience

During the design phase, we envisioned the AR experience to have multiple interactions, so attendees could experience the delight of seeing precise and robust AR elements blended into the real world around them. In addition, they could experience the helpfulness of contextual information embedded into the real objects around them, providing the right information at the right time.

Image of Creative storyboard
To make the AR experience more engaging for attendees, we created several possibilities for people to interact with their environment (click to enlarge).

Creative storyboarding

Creating an effective storyboard for a Geospatial AR experience using Adobe Aero begins with a clear vision of how the digital overlays interact with the real-world locations.

Left Field Labs started by mapping out key geographical points at the Las Vegas Convention Center location where the Google booth was going to stand, integrating physical and digital elements along the way. Each scene sketched in the storyboard illustrated how virtual objects and real-world environments would interplay, ensuring that user interactions and movements felt natural and intuitive.


“Being able to pin content to a location that’s mapped by Google and use Photorealistic 3D Tiles in Google’s Geospatial Creator provided incredible freedom when choosing how the experience would move around the environment. It gave us the flexibility to create the best flow possible.” 
– Chris Wnuk, Technical Director at Left Field Labs

Early on in the storyboarding process, we decided that the virtual 3D Android Bot would act as the guide. Users could follow the Bot around the venue by turning around in 360°, but staying at the same vantage point. This allowed us to design the interactive experience and each element in it for the right perspective from where the user would be standing, and give them a full look around the Google Booth and surrounding Google experiences, like the Monorail or Sphere.

The storyboard not only depicted the AR elements but also considered user pathways, sightlines, and environmental factors like time of day, occlusion, and overall layout of the AR content around the Booth and surrounding environment.

We aimed to connect the attendees with engaging, helpful, and delightful content, helping them visually navigate Google Booth at CES.

User experience and interactivity

When designing for AR, we have learned that user interactivity and ensuring that the experience has both helpful and delightful elements are key. Across the experience, we added multiple interactions that allowed users to explore different demo stations in the Booth, get navigation via Google Maps for the Monorail and shuttles, and interact with the Android Bot directly.

The Android brand team and Left Field Labs created the Android character to be both simple and expressive, showing playfulness and contextual understanding of the environment to delight users while managing the strain on users’ devices. Taking an agile approach, the team iterated on a wide range of both Android and iOS mobile devices to ensure smooth performance across different smartphones, form factors such as foldables, as well as operating system versions, making the AR experience accessible and enjoyable to the widest audience.

testing content in Adobe Aero
With Geospatial Creator in Adobe Aero, we were able to ensure that 3D content would be accurate to specific locations throughout the development process.

Testing the experience

We consistently iterated on the interactive elements based on location testing. We performed two location tests: First, in the middle of the design phase, which helped us validate the performance of the Visual Positioning Service (VPS) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Second, at the end of the design phase and a few days before CES, which further validated the placement of the 3D content and enabled us to refine any final adjustments once the Google booth structure was built on site.


“It was really nice to never worry about deploying. The tracking on physical objects and quickness of localization was some of the best I’ve seen!” 
– Devin Thompson, Associate Technical Director at Left Field Labs

Attendee Experience

When attendees came to the Google Booth, they saw a sign with the QR code to enter the AR experience. We positioned the sign at the best vantage point at the booth, ensuring that people had enough space around them to scan with their device and engage in the AR experience.

Sign with QR code to scan for entry at the Google Booth, Las Vegas Convention Center
By scanning a QR code, attendees entered directly into the experience and saw the virtual Android Bot pop up behind the Las Vegas Convention Center, guiding them through the full AR experience.

Attendees enjoyed seeing the Android Bot take over the Las Vegas Convention Center. Upon initializing the AR experience, the Bot revealed a Generative AI wallpaper scene right inside of a 3D view of the building, all while performing skateboarding tricks at the edge of the building’s facade.

Moving image of GenAI Wallpaper scene
With Geospatial Creator, it was possible for us to “replace” the facade of the Las Vegas Convention Center, revealing a playful scene where the Android Bot highlighted the depth and occlusion capabilities of the technology while showcasing a Generative AI Wallpaper demo.

Many people also called out the usefulness of seeing location-based, AR content with contextual information, like navigation through Google Maps, embedded into interesting locations around the Booth. Interactive panels overlaid around the Booth then introduced key physical demos located at each station around the Booth. Attendees could quickly scan the different themes and features demoed, orient themselves around the Booth, and decide which area they wanted to visit first.


“I loved the experience! Maps and AR make so much sense together. I found it super helpful seeing what demos are in each booth, right on top of the booth, as well as the links to navigation. I could see using this beyond CES as well!” 
– CES Attendee
Moving image Booth navigation
The Android Bot helped attendees visually understand the different areas and demos at the Google Booth, helping them decide what they wanted to go see first.

From the attendees we spoke to, over half of them engaged with the full experience. They were able to skip parts of the experience that felt less relevant to them and focus only on the interactions that added value. Overall, we’ve learned that most people liked seeing a mix of delightful and helpful content and they felt excited to explore the Booth further with other demos.

Moving image of people navigating augmented reality at CES
Many attendees engaged with the full AR experience to learn more about the Google Booth at CES.

Photo of Shahram Izadi watching a demonstration of the full Geospatial AR experience at CES.
Shahram Izadi, Google’s VP and GM, AR/XR, watching a demonstration of the full Geospatial AR experience at CES.

Location-based, AR experiences can transform event experiences for attendees who desire more ways to discover and engage with exhibitors at events. This trend underscores a broader shift in consumer expectations for a more immersive and interactive world around them and the blurring lines between online and offline experiences. At events like CES, AR content can offer a more immersive and personalized experience that not only entertains but also educates and connects attendees in meaningful ways.

To hear the latest updates about Google AR, Geospatial Creator, and more follow us on LinkedIn (@GoogleARVR) and X (@GoogleARVR). Plus, visit our ARCore and Geospatial Creator websites to learn how to get started building with Google’s AR technology.


1Available on select devices and may depend on regional availability and user settings.

Accelerating startup growth through technology, expertise, and community

Posted by Nivedita Kumari – Technical Anchor Mentor, Accelerator Program, and Prabhu Thiagarajan – Accelerator Success Mentor, Accelerator Program Google for Startups Accelerator: Sustainable Development Goals

This International Mentoring Day, we recognize that mentorship is a critical part of the startup journey. Google for Startups Accelerator programs provide founders and teams with the technology, expertise, and mentorship they need to grow and succeed. As program mentors, we had the opportunity to engage with and empower many early stage startups helping them scale and grow.


The Startup Challenge

Although the startup ecosystem is rapidly expanding, success is rarely a smooth journey. On an average, it takes startups two to three years years to turn a profit, and fewer than 10% of startups that raise a seed round successfully raise a Series A investment. Even those that manage to secure funding, still face other hurdles like driving organic growth, fundraising, building brand and market expansion. Mentorship and access to networks has been proven time and again to make the critical difference for successful founders.

To level the playing field for startup success, Google for Startups connects founders to the people, programs and best practices they need to grow and scale their companies. Google for Startups Accelerator programs provide participants with hands-on mentorship and support from Googlers as well as experienced entrepreneurs and investors. These experts work directly with startups over the course of 10 weeks to provide tailored technology, product development, marketing, sales and fundraising.


Success Story

As Google for Startups Accelerator program mentors, we had the opportunity to partner closely with various founders from around the world through the 2023 accelerator cohorts, including those focused on Cloud and Climate Change. One of these startups for the Cloud cohort was RealKey, an Automated Loan Processing (ALP) SaaS platform.

RealKey automates document collection/review processes and centralizes communication to reduce touch points with underwriting. Through the Google for Startups Cloud Program, RealKey was able to accelerate Google AI based document processing and loan process automation to help create a clean loan submission process. Google for Startups helped RealKey reduce loan processing time and frustration for all parties involved. 

"Google's Lending DocAI service enabled our platform to include document processing where we classify documents and run complex validation algorithms to ensure that a loan package meets all lending criteria. This is typically a manual process and our platform saves our clients valuable time and labor.” 
– Christopher Hussain, Founder & CEO, RealKey.
 
Over the course of the 10 week program, the RealKey team worked closely with us to develop and track their program Objectives and Key Results (OKR). Through a series of tailored technical deep dives, mentor-led product and program workshops, and pairing with relevant experts from Google and the industry, RealKey was able to solve several business and technical challenges to accelerate their results. “With Google for Startups mentor support, we accomplished goals that we budgeted would take substantially longer”, says Christopher.

The Google for Startups Accelerator program provides startups with the resources and support they need to thrive in the competitive world. Through its comprehensive program, startups gain access to funding, technical expertise, networking opportunities, and mentorship from Google AI experts, enabling them to overcome technical challenges, develop effective go-to-market strategies, and accelerate their growth. With the guidance and support of Google AI experts, startups can navigate the complexities of developing and commercializing their products, effectively reach their target audience, and establish themselves as leaders in the field of machine learning.


Next Steps for Founders

If you're a startup founder, Google for Startups Accelerator programs are a great way to get the help you need to grow your business and achieve your goals. Applications are now open for Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders and Black Founders cohorts in North America. We encourage applications from U.S. and Canadian headquartered technology startups until February 1, 2024, with the 10-week programs commencing in March. Learn more and register here.

In addition to accelerator programs, Google for Startups offers a wide range of programs and initiatives to help startups at every stage of their journey. Whether you're just starting out or ready to scale, Google for Startups can help you connect with the right technology, expertise, and community to grow your business. Explore the best Google for Startups offerings for you and your team here.

Google for Startups Accelerator Applications open Black Founders and Women Founders programs Go to startup.google.com

Solution Challenge 2024 – Using Google Technology to Address UN Sustainable Development Goals

Posted by Rachel Francois, Global Program Manager, Google Developer Student Clubs

Google Developer Student Clubs celebrates 5 years of innovative solutions built by university students


This year marks the 5-year anniversary of the Google Developer Student Clubs Solution Challenge! For the past five years, the Solution Challenge has invited university students to use Google technologies to develop solutions for real-world problems.

Since 2019:

  • Over 110+ countries have participated
  • Over 4,000+ projects have been submitted
  • Over 1,000+ chapters have participated

The project solutions address one or more of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to end poverty, ensure prosperity, and protect the planet by 2030. The goals were agreed upon by all 193 United Nations Member States in 2015.

If you have an idea for how you could use Android, Firebase, TensorFlow, Google Cloud, Flutter, or another Google product to promote employment for all, economic growth, and climate action, enter the 2024 GDSC Solution Challenge and share your ideas!

Solution Challenge prizes

Check out the many great prizes you can win by participating:

  • Top 100 teams receive branded swag, a certificate, and personalized mentorship from Google and experts to help further their solution ideas.
  • Final 10 teams receive a swag box, additional mentorship, and the opportunity to showcase their project solutions to Google teams and developers worldwide during the virtual 2024 Solution Challenge Demo Day, live on YouTube. Additional cash prize of $1,000 per student. Winnings for each qualifying team will not exceed $4,000.
  • Winning 3 teams receive a swag box, and each individual receives a cash prize of $3,000 and a feature on the Google Developers Blog. Winnings for each qualifying team will not exceed $12,000.

Joining the Solution Challenge

To join the Solution Challenge and get started on your project:

Google resources for Solution Challenge participants

Google supports Solution Challenge participants with resources to build strong projects, including:

  • Create a demo video and submit your project by February 22, 2024
  • Live online Q&A sessions
  • Mentorship from Googlers, Google Developer Experts, and the Google Developer Student Club community
  • Curated codelabs designed by Google for Developers
  • Access to Design Sprint guidelines developed by Google Ventures

and so much more!

Winner announcement dates

Once all projects are submitted, our panel of judges will evaluate and score each submission using specific criteria. After that, winners will be announced in three rounds:

  • Round 1 (April): Top 100 teams will be announced.
  • Round 2 (May): Final 10 teams will be announced.
  • Round 3 (June): The Winning 3 grand prize teams will be announced live on YouTube during the 2024 Solution Challenge Demo Day.

We're looking forward to seeing the solutions you create when you combine your enthusiasm for building a better world, coding skills, and help from Google technologies.

Learn more and sign up for the 2024 Solution Challenge here.

Global developers use Google tools to build solutions in recruiting, mentorship and more

Posted by Lyanne Alfaro, DevRel Program Manager, Google Developer Studio

Developer Journey is a monthly series highlighting diverse and global developers sharing relatable challenges, opportunities, and wins in their journey. Every month, we will spotlight developers around the world, the Google tools they leverage, and the kinds of products they are building.

This month we speak with global developers across Google Developer Experts, and Women Techmakers, to learn more about their favorite Google tools, the applications they’ve built to serve diverse communities and the role of inclusive design in their process.

Miguel Ángel Durán Garcí

Headshot of Miguel Ángel Durán Garcí, smiling
Barcelona, Spain
Google Developer Expert, Web Technologies
Content Creator & Software Engineer

What Google tools have you used to build?

I've been using Firebase, Google Cloud Platform, CrUX Dashboard, and Chrome DevTools for years. As a web developer, I'm always excited about the new features that DevTools brings to us to improve our productivity and the performance of our applications.


Which tool has been your favorite to use? Why?

Lately, I've been trying Project IDX, an entirely web-based workspace for full-stack application development, and I'm really excited about the future of this project. I love the idea of being able to develop and deploy applications from the browser, without having to install anything on my computer.


Please share with us about something you’ve built in the past using Google tools.

Most recently, I've deployed AdventJS, a holiday calendar for developers. For optimizing the images, I've used Squoosh from the GoogleChromeLabs team. To ensure the website was accessible and to tweak performance, I've used Lighthouse from Chrome DevTools. Also, I used Google Bard to translate the content of the website into English and Portuguese.


What will you create with Google Bard?

I'm planning to expand a website I've created for the Spanish-speaking community to teach JavaScript from scratch. With Google Bard, I can check the content, create some code, and make it help me create challenges for the students.


What advice would you give someone starting in their developer journey?

I would tell them to be patient and to enjoy the process. It's a long journey, but it's worth it. Also, I would tell them to be curious and avoid sticking to only a few technologies. And finally, I would tell them to share their knowledge with the community, because it's the best way to learn and meet new people. You don't need to be an expert to share your knowledge; you just need to be one step ahead of the people you're teaching.

Marian Villa

Headshot of Marian Villa, smiling
Medellín, Colombia
Google Developer Expert, Web Technologies
Co-founder / Director Pionerasdev

What Google tools have you used to build?

Development and Creativity:

  • Google Chrome DevTools
  • Bard
  • TensorflowJS

Productivity and Communication:

  • Gmail
  • Google Calendar
  • Google Drive
  • Google Docs
  • Google Sheets
  • Google Slides
  • Google Meet

Marketing and Business:

  • Google Ads
  • Google Analytics
  • Google My Business
  • Google Workspace
  • Google Cloud Platform
  • Google Marketing Platform

Education and Learning:

  • Google Classroom
  • Google Forms
  • Google Sites
  • YouTube

Which tool has been your favorite to use? Why?

Choosing a favorite tool is quite a task given the unique strengths of Bard, TensorflowJS and Google Chrome DevTools, but I'd have to say that Google Chrome DevTools stands out for me. Its versatility in inspecting and debugging web pages, testing code variations, and providing insights into JavaScript behavior has been crucial in my web development endeavors. That being said, both Bard and TensorFlow.js have incredible capabilities. Bard plays a vital role in generating creative content, answering queries, and even composing code. TensorFlow.js, on the other hand, is a game-changer, enabling machine learning in JavaScript, and making it accessible for a wide range of applications. Each tool has its unique appeal, and the choice will depend on the context and specific requirements of the task at hand.


Please share with us about something you’ve built in the past using Google tools.

On our latest website, we use all the Google technologies at hand to enhance our image as an NGO. Find it here.


What will you create with Google Bard?

We are once again resuming a winning mentorship project to advance our career as developers, so Bard and Duet AI are great allies to inspect our code and once again create an MVP of this product for our community.


What advice would you give someone starting in their developer journey?

First, think about the problem you want to solve, or what you want to contribute to the world, then create and make it come true. This is easier if you rely on communities, and people who help you as mentors, sponsors and guides.

Rubens de Almeida Zimbres

Headshot of Rubens Zimbres, smiling
São Paulo - Brazil
Google Developer Expert, Machine Learning and Google Cloud
ML Engineer

What Google tools have you used to build?

I’ve been using the full stack of Google Products. I use Google Workspace daily in my life, my personal website is made on Google Sites, and Google Cloud; I started with Compute Engine and Jupyter Notebooks, customized to my needs.

As I acquired more knowledge through practical experience, Coursera and Google Cloud Skills Boost, I started building end to-end solutions using BigQuery, SQL, lots of Vertex AI (Generative AI Studio, Matching Engine, Speech-to-text, Pipelines, AutoML, Model Fine-Tuning), Cloud Run (and a little GKE - Kubernetes), Cloud Functions, Dialogflow and Document AI.

As the requirements of clients change according to the industry, like recruiting (Virtual Career Center) and contact center (Contact Center AI), I was able to test and deploy in production different Google products to solve the clients’ needs.


Which tool has been your favorite to use? Why?

Vertex AI is my favorite, as it is pure ML and Deep Learning optimized. Using AutoML with NAS (Neural Architecture Search) was a very interesting experience with awesome results. Developing Machine Learning pipelines with Kubeflow is a special pleasure, as this is going into production and the whole MLOps is involved.


Please share with us about something you’ve built in the past using Google tools.

I’ve built a recruiting solution that was implemented in six countries of Latin America, benefiting more than 365,000 people. This solution automatically analyzes resumes using OCR via Document AI.

I delivered a revenue prediction for a hotel chain using Tensorflow, where we increased the accuracy of the client’s model by 0.95%. I also built a Contact Center solution which uses Google Speech-to-Text and analytics to make management easier and also to generate strategic insights.

Lately, I was part of the team that delivered an end-to-end Virtual Career Center solution that matches job candidates to job vacancies using Vertex AI Matching Engine via text embeddings and SCANN. Both the recruiting solution and the contact center solution generated patents in Brazil, in the field of NLP (Natural Language Processing).


What will you create with Google Bard?

Google Bard is part of my daily routine. It helps me while coding, it helps me to plan trips, get to the right public transportation, visit interesting places around the world and it also helps by retrieving the Google search in an organized way, with updated content. My idea is to use Bard along with LangChain to perform optimizations in the finance industry.


What advice would you give someone starting in their developer journey?

Learn the basics first.

The temptation of learning this magnificent field as Machine Learning is gigantic, but coding is a great part of the solution. Learn to code properly, in whatever language you want. This brings efficiency and security if your solution needs to scale, decreasing infrastructure costs and improving user experience.

The same applies to Machine Learning: learn basic disciplines such as Calculus, Computer Science fundamentals and you will understand most of the content is shared today online. Only after learning ML you should dive into Deep Learning and the disciplines associated. Don’t fake it. Make it.

Global Google Developer Experts Share Their Favorite Tools and Advice for New Developers

Posted by Lyanne Alfaro, DevRel Program Manager, Google Developer Studio

Developer Journey is a monthly series highlighting diverse and global developers sharing relatable challenges, opportunities, and wins in their journey. Every month, we will spotlight developers around the world, the Google tools they leverage, and the kinds of products they are building.

This month we speak with global Google Developer Experts in Firebase, Women Techmakers, and beyond, to learn more about their favorite Google tools, the applications they’ve built to serve diverse communities, and their best advice for anyone just getting started as a developer.

Juan Lombana

Headshot of Juan Lombana, smiling
Mexico City, Mexico
Founder, Mercatitlán

What Google tools have you used to build?

Google Analytics and Firebase's A/B testing features have been pivotal in our data-driven approach, enabling continuous improvement in our conversion strategies. More recently, Bard has become a significant asset in developing new products and in our educational endeavors, especially with the introduction of our AI course. Its utility in both product development and educational settings is profound.


Which tool has been your favorite to use? Why?

If I had to choose, it would be Google Ads. Its ability to consistently drive new customers and provide unparalleled visibility to quality products is unmatched. While it may not traditionally be considered a 'tool' in the strictest sense, its impact on business growth and visibility is indisputable.


Please share with us about something you’ve built in the past using Google tools.

My entire business, Mercatitlán, has been built and scaled using Google Tools. We have cultivated a community of over 40,000 paid students, educating them on effective use of Google Ads, leveraging Bard for enhanced website content, and employing Google Analytics for strategic A/B testing to boost sales. The transformational impact of these tools on both my business and my students' ventures is a testament to their potential.


What will you create with Google Bard?

The integration of Bard AI into our daily operations is revolutionizing the way we approach digital marketing. Beyond its current uses in social media content creation, ad ideas generation, email composition, and customer support enhancement, we're exploring several innovative applications:

  • Personalized Marketing Campaigns: Using Bard AI, we can analyze customer data and preferences to create highly personalized marketing campaigns. This helps in delivering more relevant content to our audience, thereby increasing engagement and conversion rates. 
  • Competitive Analysis: By analyzing competitor data, Bard AI can help us understand their strategies, strengths, and weaknesses. This intelligence is crucial for refining our marketing approach and differentiating our brand in the marketplace.
  • Content Optimization for SEO: Bard can assist in optimizing website and blog content for search engines. By understanding and integrating key SEO principles, it can help us rank higher in search results, thus improving our online visibility. 
  • Automated Reporting and Insights: Automating the generation of marketing reports and insights with Bard saves time and resources, allowing our team to focus on strategy and creativity rather than manual data analysis.

What advice would you give someone starting in their developer journey?

The key is to start with action rather than waiting for perfection. Adopt a mindset focused on experimentation and analytics. This approach allows you to follow data-driven insights rather than solely relying on innovation, leading to significant societal impact through technology.

Jirawat Karanwittayakarn

Headshot of Jirawat Karanwittayakarn, smiling
Bangkok, Thailand
Tech Evangelist, LINE Thailand

What Google tools have you used to build?

I have used a variety of Firebase services to build LINE chatbots for a number of years. These services have included Cloud Functions, Cloud Firestore, Cloud Storage, Firebase Hosting, and etc. Recently I have also used the PaLM API, a very powerful tool that allows me to build Generative AI chatbots.


Which tool has been your favorite to use? Why?

Firebase is my favorite tool because it is a platform that provides a complete set of tools for building and managing mobile, web, and chatbots. It is very easy to use and has a wide range of features that make it a great choice for developers of all levels. Furthermore, Firebase services have allowed me to scale my chatbots and make them more reliable.


Please share with us about something you’ve built in the past using Google tools.

  • LINE Developers TH is a chatbot that allows Thai developers to learn about LINE APIs and get started with building services. It also provides users with the ability to try out demos of LINE APIs.
  • TrueMoney is a wallet app that I have built in the past using Firebase. The app allows users to store money, send money, and pay bills. It is a very popular app in Thailand, with over 10 million users.
  • Sanook is an app that allows users to access news, articles, and other content from the number one web portal in Thailand on their mobile devices.

What will you create with Google Bard?

I would like to create a use case of building a powerful LINE chatbot using PaLM API and Firebase for developers. I believe this will be a great way to showcase the power of these tools and how they can be used to create innovative solutions.


What advice would you give someone starting in their developer journey?

First and foremost, I would encourage them to be curious and always be willing to learn new things. The world of technology is constantly changing, so it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies. This can be done by reading articles, attending conferences, and taking online courses.

Secondly, I would recommend that they find a mentor or role model who can help guide them on their journey. Having someone who has been through the process can be invaluable in providing support and advice. They can help you identify areas where you need to improve, and provide you with tips and tricks for success.

Finally, I would encourage them to never give up. The road to becoming a developer can be challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. If you're passionate about technology, then don't let anything stop you from pursuing your dreams.

Laura Morinigo

Headshot of Lauren Moringo, smiling
London, England
Women Techmakers Ambassador
Principal Engineer and Consultant, Samsung Electronics UK

What Google tools have you used to build?

I have used tools like Google Cloud and Firebase.


Which tool has been your favorite to use? Why?

I would say Firebase! It helped me to build web apps and explore new technologies easily while saving a lot of time and resources. Additionally, a lot of functionalities have been added recently. Over the years, I've witnessed its evolution, with the addition of numerous functionalities that continually enhance its utility and user experience. This constant innovation within Firebase not only simplifies complex tasks but also opens doors to creative possibilities in web app development.


Please share with us about something you’ve built in the past using Google tools.

I've been leading a project in partnership with the United Nations to help share information about its worldwide global goals. We used Firebase hosting and Cloud functions for the first release of the web app and it was a success! It felt very good to help create tools that support a good cause.


What will you create with Google Bard?

I'm experimenting with the current extensions to improve personal productivity. It's very interesting how you can improve the way that you do your daily tasks.


What advice would you give someone starting in their developer journey?

Remember that as a developer you will have the power to create! Use this power to build personal projects and combine it with things that you enjoy. You will start building a portfolio and have fun while learning. Finally, don't hesitate to find a mentor and connect with a community of developers to support and guidance in your journey. You can find a lot of help, improve your networking, and even have friends for life!

Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Web GDE Shrutirupa Banerjiee shares how we can stay safe in a world of cyber attacks

Posted by Kevin Hernandez, Developer Relations Community Manager

For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we are celebrating Shrutirupa Banerjiee, Web GDE.

The web can be an excellent tool to learn a new skill, connect with people all over the world, digest information, or use new technologies such as Google Bard. However, there can be threats that loom whenever you go online - malware and social engineering attacks (also known as phishing) are some examples of today’s cyber attacks that can steal data or gain access to your system. Luckily, we have people like Shrutirupa Banerjiee, Web GDE, working on ways to keep companies and individuals safe from these threats. Shrutirupa got her start in the field by way of Blockchain security and eventually transitioned into a malware research role as a Senior Security Researcher. As an advocate for cybersecurity, Shrutirupa shares what threats are facing us today and what steps we can take to keep ourselves safe.

Headshot of Shrutirupa Banerjiee, smiling
Shrutirupa Banerjiee, Google Developer Expert, Web

Threats facing the web today

Shrutirupa is mostly concerned with malware and especially those that bide their time and sit in your systems for months and sometimes even for years. She describes, “These attacks get into your system and sit there for months while you’re unable to identify that there is any kind of malware or malicious program. When you’ve already gained trust, it will start connecting with the malicious servers.” A recent example of this type of attack was the SolarWinds attack. With this case, hackers were able to gain unauthorized access to the SolarWinds network in 2019, injected their malicious code into the SolarWinds software in February of 2020, and in March of 2020 SolarWinds unknowingly pushed a software update which included the malicious code (source: NPR). This malware was downloaded by 18,000 customers, compromising the data of companies and government agencies which included the Treasury and the Pentagon.

One mission that Shrutirupa is actively working towards is bridging the gap between developers and cybersecurity professionals. By being made aware of the new threats that face the web, developers can actively safeguard companies and consumers from malware attacks.


How you can stay safe online

Shrutirupa recommends the following to help prevent data breaches or attacks on our systems:

  • Think before you click: Be aware of anything that you’re downloading and do your proper research on the source of the software. You can see what others are saying about the software on community sites like Quora or Reddit.
  • Software updates: Make sure your software updates are up-to-date since these contain patches.
  • Antivirus scanners: There are many free options that you can add to your computer and use to run regular scans to ensure that your system is running safely.
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This method allows you to have an extra layer of security when logging onto sites and notifies you of unauthorized logins.
  • Developers and researchers working together: Consult cybersecurity professionals like Shrutirupa! Cybersecurity professionals are on top of new threats and can make you aware of what you should prioritize as a developer.

Shrutirupa has also been able to leverage Google technologies and the GDE program in order to educate and test in a safe environment. “Google provides me with an environment where I can mentor students who want to get into cybersecurity or want to do development in a secure way. Google also has resources like Google Cloud Platform where you can practice and test everything while learning,” she says.

With people of all ages accessing the internet, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is crucial and Shrutirupa believes that awareness of threats should be a regular occurrence due to the importance of it. She states, “We have children, parents, and grandparents all accessing the internet. Because of this, we should always be vigilant about what we’re downloading and understand previous and new cybersecurity attacks so we can prevent them.”

You can find Shrutirupa on LinkedIn, GitHub, Twitter, and YouTube.


The Google Developer Experts (GDE) program is a global network of highly experienced technology experts, influencers, and thought leaders who actively support developers, companies, and tech communities by speaking at events and publishing content.

Global Developers Share How They Use Inclusive Design

Posted by Lyanne Alfaro, DevRel Program Manager, Google Developer Studio

Developer Journey is a monthly series highlighting diverse and global developers sharing relatable challenges, opportunities, and wins in their journey. Every month, we will spotlight developers around the world, the Google tools they leverage, and the kind of products they are building.

This month we speak with global developers across Google Developer Experts, Google Developer Groups, and beyond to learn more about their favorite Google tools, the applications they’ve built to serve diverse communities and the role of inclusive design in their process.

Lamis Chebbi

Headshot of Lamis Chebbi, smiling
Republic of Tunisia
Senior Software Engineer

What Google tools have you used to build?

I use Lighthouse and Google PageSpeed Insights to audit my application's performance and check my accessibility score. I can learn a lot about my application users and measure their engagement through Google Analytics. I have also used: Angular, Angular Dev tools, Firebase, TensorFlow and some services through Google Cloud Platform.


Which tool has been your favorite to use? Why?

On a daily basis I use Angular to develop my web applications. It helped me develop web applications faster with less code, less debugging time, and high scalability. The Angular CLI automates a lot of tasks, including the upgrade process, which saves a lot of time.


Please share with us about something you’ve built in the past using Google tools.

I have built a lot of web apps and progressive web apps using Angular, Firebase and TensorFlow in various fields from insurance, to banking, retail and education.


What will you create with Google Bard?

I'm planning on creating a blog using Google Bard and to generate content in different languages and enable some search and updates for content.


What role does inclusive design play in your development process?

Accessibility is no longer an option today. It is as important as other development goals and should be automated in the development process using the right tools.


What advice would you give someone starting in their developer journey?

Here’s a few pieces of advice for other professionals:

  • Invest in learning as much as you can and always practice the technologies you learn.
  • Don't forget that practice makes perfect.
  • Join developer communities and get a mentor; you will learn a lot and receive a lot of help.
  • Try to keep up with new technologies and trends that will open new perspectives for you.

You’ll probably make some mistakes. Be willing to accept it and learn from it.

Amani Bisimwa

Headshot of Amani Bisimwa, smiling
Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Google Developer Groups Uvira Lead
Frontend Developer

What Google tools have you used to build?

I am using Angular and Firebase.


Which tool has been your favorite to use? Why?

Firebase is my favorite. I like how Firebase has simplified things by providing a Backend as Service. You no longer need to manage your own servers, worry about scalability, or other Backend complexities.


Please share with us about something you’ve built in the past using Google tools.

I have built some private ERP apps that help small local traders to manage their business (stock management, finance and hotels).


What will you create with Google Bard?

I always use Bard for guidance to document and test code. I hope to use it for more projects in the future.


What role does inclusive design play in your development process?

The role of a designer in the development process is so important to me. Not only does it allow me to arrange the elements well on the screen, but it also ensures that the application is accessible to users living with disabilities. The designer also knows how to choose colors, contrasts and hierarchy of different elements.


How do you prioritize accessibility alongside other development goals?

Accessibility is a priority for me when creating an app or product. I consider accessibility at every stage of the development process. I use a variety of tools and resources to ensure my apps are accessible to everyone, including people with visual impairments, hearing impairments, motor disabilities and cognitive disabilities.


What advice would you give someone starting in their developer journey?

My advice is: Choose your path and stick to it because there are several distractions from the trends of new technologies on social media especially on Twitter. Don't skip the steps; learn the fundamentals.  It's important because even to improve a prompt with generative AI, you need to have a solid understanding in your field.


Enrique López Mañas

Headshot of Enrique López Mañas, smiling
Munich, Germany
Freelance Software Engineer

What Google tools have you used to build?

Android Studio is my daily tool. I have used other tools or frameworks (like Firebase or TensorFlow) in the past as well. My choice of tool depends on the needs of the project I am currently engaged with.


Which tool has been your favorite to use? Why?

Android Studio is my absolute favorite, which is not a surprise for an Android Developer.


Please share with us about something you’ve built in the past using Google tools.

I have worked in many apps and frameworks in the past. The Deutsche Bahn (German Train) application, a Corona app for the Arab Emirates, the app for Alibaba couriers in Vietnam, and now the Google Maps library for Compose.


What will you create with Google Bard?

Bard and other tools like ChatGPT help me with the development of apps and software in general. I do feel they are not yet ready to significantly impact the development process. They still suffer from many inaccuracies and hallucinations.


How do you prioritize accessibility alongside other development goals?

Much less than I would actually like to. Often companies are on a budget and some important things tend to get deprioritized. As a developer (and consultant) my role is to advise them, and A11y is one of the main topics that tend to be underrated.

For instance, do you know that approximately 20% of the users in Switzerland have some form of disability, and can benefit from apps with accessibility integrated? I was really surprised when I heard this number, and I am fairly confident most people don't know about it. If there were more awareness, apps would benefit more from A11y practices.


What advice would you give someone starting in their developer journey?

For new developers: ask all the questions. Never leave a room with a doubt or a question and without an answer. Even more senior people do not have all the answers all the time, and the only way to know if they do is to ask questions. Do not feel embarrassed by raising your hand in a meeting. Ask all the questions you need. The quality of your life will be determined by the quality of your questions.

How Machine Learning GDE Henry Ruiz is inspired by resilience in his community

Posted by Kevin Hernandez, Developer Relations Community Manager

For Hispanic Heritage Month, we are celebrating Henry Ruiz, Machine Learning GDE, and Latin American and Hispanic developer voices.

Henry Ruiz, Machine Learning GDE, originally had aspirations of becoming a soccer player in his home country of Colombia, but when his brother got injured he knew that he had to have a backup plan. With a love for video games, Henry decided to pursue an education in development and eventually discovered the world of computer science.

Today, Henry is a Computer Scientist, working as a Research Specialist (Data Scientist) at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and finishing his Ph.D. in Engineering at Texas A&M University.

Image of Henry Ruiz in the field at Texas A&M University AgriLife Research Department

Henry, who barely spoke English before immigrating to the United States, has now progressed to the point of preparing to defend his PhD, thanks to the assistance of the Hispanic community.

As a first-generation college student in the United States, Henry was looking for a community where he could feel connected. He received a lot of support from international students and mentions that he always received a warm welcome specifically from the Hispanic community. Joining different clubs on campus, Henry connected with others through food and shared experiences and they served as a support system for one another by creating study groups. Through these connections, he began to notice the impact of developers from Latin America which deeply inspired him. Henry reflects, “We are considered a minority and don’t always have the same opportunities that developed countries have. So we have to be creative and put in an extra effort. So to see these stories of minority developers making an impact on the world is very significant to me.” Henry views Hispanic Heritage Month as a celebration of what Hispanic people have accomplished and it drives him in his work.

"Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the hard work, the resilience, and the work that people in the community have done,” 

- Henry Ruiz, Machine Learning GDE
Image of Henry Ruiz conducting research at Texas A&M University AgriLife Research Department

Henry has seen progress being made in recognizing Hispanic contributions in the tech industry. “Big companies have been aware of the challenges that we have as minorities and they started creating different programs to get community members more involved in tech companies,” he explains. Well-known corporations have hosted conferences for the Hispanic community and Google in particular, gives out scholarships such as the Generation Google Scholarship. This makes him feel seen and gives the community visibility in the industry. When he sees Hispanics in leadership positions, it shows him what can be accomplished, which fuels his work.

Today, Henry has worked on generative AI projects and leverages Google technologies (Cloud, TensorFlow, Kubernetes) to tackle challenges in the agricultural industry. Specifically, he’s working on a project to detect diseases and pests in bananas. With the strong foundation of his community, Henry is actively helping communities with his research. On his advice to the Hispanic community, Henry imparts the following words of wisdom, “Although some might not have access to the same tools and technologies as others, we have to remember that we are resilient, creative, and are problem solvers. Just continue moving forward.”

You can find Henry on LinkedIn, GitHub, and via his GDE Developer Profile.


The Google Developer Experts (GDE) program is a global network of highly experienced technology experts, influencers, and thought leaders who actively support developers, companies, and tech communities by speaking at events and publishing content.