Where is Gemini 3.5 Pro? The case of the missing AI model.

The continued delay of Google's Gemini 3.5 Pro model, initially slated for a June release, presents a critical challenge for the company's competitive position in Asia's rapidly evolving AI landscape. While Google stalls, rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic are pushing ahead with advanced models, and China's Moonshot has introduced its Kimi K3 model. This creates an opening for other players to gain traction in key Asian markets where demand for cutting-edge AI capabilities is high. The leadership reshuffle at Google DeepMind, with Demis Hassabis's move and Koray Kavukcuoglu's appointment, suggests internal pressures are mounting. For Asian enterprises and developers, this delay means a potential lag in accessing Google's latest AI advancements, possibly pushing them towards alternative providers. The controversy surrounding the resolution of the Navier-Stokes problem by a rival model also points to the intense scrutiny and high stakes in frontier AI research. Google's focus on lighter models like Gemini 3.6 Flash and a Windows app might not satisfy the demand for top-tier frontier models in the region. The situation underscores the fierce competition and the need for rapid innovation to maintain leadership in the global AI race. Google's ability to quickly deploy its next-generation models will be crucial for its standing in Asia, particularly as local players and other global competitors intensify their efforts.