Google’s Gemini 3.5 Pro Faces Delays Due to Coding Challenges, Bloomberg Reports

Google’s Gemini 3.5 Pro, an advanced AI model that Google indicated would be available by June, has encountered significant delays, according to a Bloomberg report. The report attributes these holdups primarily to challenges in improving the model’s coding capabilities. This development comes amid growing internal concerns at Google regarding its competitive position against other leading AI developers like Anthropic and OpenAI.

Original Timeline Missed

In May, Google announced the Gemini 3.5 series, releasing Gemini 3.5 Flash immediately. At the time, the company stated that Gemini 3.5 Pro was in internal use and expected to roll it out to the public the following month, meaning June. However, as of now, the Gemini API release notes do not include any entry for a 3.5 Pro model, confirming the missed deadline.

Bloomberg’s Julia Love and Davey Alba reported on the delay, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter. These sources, identified as current and former Google employees, expressed frustration over the situation, suggesting that Google is struggling to keep pace with rivals who are consistently shipping higher-performing AI models.

Coding Performance as a Bottleneck

A critical aspect of the delay appears to be the model’s coding performance. One source indicated that an update to the training data, implemented late last month to enhance Gemini’s coding skills, yielded disappointing results. This aligns with earlier statements from Google CEO Sundar Pichai in May, where he acknowledged that Google was “a bit behind” in agentic coding, linking it to a lack of developer-facing coding products that generate crucial data for competitors.

A Google spokesperson confirmed to Bloomberg that the company is “currently testing 3.5 Pro” with partners, alongside an upgraded Flash model. However, no new public release date has been announced.

Internal Concerns and Competitive Landscape

The Bloomberg report highlights an environment of concern within Google, particularly among employees. Ten current and former staff members cited in the report discussed anxieties that Google is falling behind in the rapidly evolving AI race. This sentiment has been echoed in other reports, including concerns within DeepMind regarding Google’s offerings for businesses developing AI coding tools.

The delay of Gemini 3.5 Pro underscores the intense competition and technical challenges inherent in developing advanced AI models. While Gemini 3.5 Flash is currently the only model from the 3.5 series released by Google, the absence of its flagship Pro version leaves a gap that competitors may capitalize on.

Impact on Google’s AI Strategy

While the delay does not immediately affect Google Search, where 3.5 Flash is the default model in AI Mode, it does impact Google’s broader AI model timeline and perception of its development capabilities. The company’s original expectation for a June rollout has been missed, and without a revised date, the market relies on external reporting rather than official announcements for updates on Pro’s availability. For businesses and developers in India looking to leverage cutting-edge AI, these delays could influence their choice of platforms and models, potentially shifting preference towards more readily available and performant alternatives.

Key facts

Aspect	Detail
Model	Google Gemini 3.5 Pro
Expected Rollout	June (as announced in May)
Current Status	Delayed; currently in testing with partners
Primary Reason for Delay	Coding performance challenges, according to Bloomberg

The delay in Google’s Gemini 3.5 Pro is particularly relevant for the Indian AI ecosystem, which is rapidly expanding and adopting new technologies. Indian developers and businesses often rely on timely releases of advanced AI models to innovate and compete. A delay from a major player like Google could impact local project timelines and force a re-evaluation of AI toolchains, potentially leading to increased interest in alternative models from other providers.

Source: Search Engine Journal (https://www.searchenginejournal.com/gemini-3-5-pro-delayed-over-coding-bloomberg-reports/582660/)