GCP – Looker adds AI-fueled visual, conversational data exploration, continuous integration

Today at Google Cloud Next ‘25, we’re announcing a major step in making Looker the most powerful platform for data analysis and exploration,by enhancing it with powerful AI capabilities and a new reporting experience, all built on our trusted semantic model — the foundation for accurate, reliable insights in the AI era.

Starting today, all platform users can now leverage conversational analytics to analyze their data using natural language and Google’s latest Gemini models. We’re also debuting a brand-new reporting experience within Looker, designed for enhanced data storytelling and streamlined exploration. Both innovations are now available to all Looker-hosted customers.

Modern organizations require more than just accurate insights; they need AI to uncover hidden patterns, predict trends, and drive intelligent action. Gemini in Looker and the introduction of Looker reports makes business intelligence simpler and more accessible for everyone. This empowers users across the organization, reduces the burden on data teams, and frees analysts to focus on higher-impact work.

Looker’s unique foundation is its semantic layer, which ensures everyone works from a single source of truth. Combined with Google’s AI, Looker now delivers intelligent insights and automates analysis, accelerating data-driven decisions across your organization.

Gemini in Looker now available to all platform users

At Google Cloud Next ’24, we introduced Gemini in Looker to bring intelligent AI-powered BI to everyone, featuring a suite of capabilities, or assistants, that let users ask questions of their data in natural language and simplify tasks and workflows like data modeling, and chart and presentation generation. 

Since then, we’ve brought those features to life in preview, and we are now expanding their access to all platform users, given the product’s level of maturity and accuracy. These include Conversational Analytics, for gaining insights into your data through natural language queries; Visualization Assistant for custom visuals initiated by natural language, letting you easily configure charts and visualizations for dashboard creation; Formula Assistant for powerful on-the-fly calculated fields and instant ad-hoc analysis; Automated Slide Generation for impactful presentations with insightful and instant text summaries of your data; and LookML Code Assistant to simplify code creation, including guidance and suggestions to create dimensions, groups, measures and more.

Also available in preview is our cCode iInterpreter for Conversational Analytics, which enables business users to perform complex tasks and derive advanced analytics, including forecasting and anomaly detection using natural language without needing deep Python expertise. You can learn more about this new capability and sign up here.

Conversational Analytics API

To bring the power of conversational analytics beyond the Looker interface, we are introducing the Conversational Analytics API. Developers can now embed natural language query capabilities directly into custom applications, internal tools, or workflows, backed by trusted data access and scalable, reliable data modeling that can adapt to evolving needs.

This API allows you to build custom BI agent experiences, leveraging Looker’s trusted semantic model for accuracy and Google’s advanced AI models (including NL2SQL, RAG, and VizGen). Developers can embed this functionality easily to create intuitive data experiences, enable complex analysis via natural language, and even share insights generated from these conversations within the Looker platform.(Sign up here for preview access to the Conversational Analytics API.)

Introducing Looker reports

Self-service analysis is key to empowering line-of-business users and fostering collaboration. Building on the success and user-friendliness of Looker Studio, we’re bringing its powerful visualization and reporting capabilities directly into the core Looker platform with the introduction of Looker reports.

Looker reports bring enhanced data storytelling, streamlined exploration, and broader data connectivity to users, including reports generated from native Looker content, direct connections to Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets data, first-party connectors and ad-hoc access to various data sources.

Creating compelling, interactive reports is now easier than ever. Looker reports features the intuitive drag-and-drop interface users love, granular design controls, a rich library of visualizations and templates, and real-time collaboration capabilities.

This new reporting environment lives alongside your existing Looker Dashboards and Explores within Looker’s governed framework. Importantly, Looker Reports seamlessly integrates with Gemini in Looker, allowing you to leverage conversational analytics within this new reporting experience.

Faster, more reliable development with continuous integration

With Google Cloud’s acquisition of Spectacles.dev, we are enabling developers to automate testing and validation of SQL, LookML changes, leading to faster, more reliable development cycles. Robust CI/CD practices build data trust by ensuring the accuracy and consistency of your semantic model — crucial for dependable AI-powered BI.

These advancements – the expanded availability of Gemini in Looker, the new Conversational Analytics API, the introduction of Looker reports, and native Continuous Integration capabilities – represent a major leap forward in delivering a complete AI-for-BI platform. We’re making it easier than ever to access trusted insights, leverage powerful AI, and foster a truly data-driven culture. 

Join us at Google Cloud Next and be sure to watch our What’s new in Looker: AI for BI session on demand after the event to experience the future of BI with Looker, and discover how complete AI for BI can transform your data into a strategic advantage.