Manhattan. June 27. Sunset over the skyline. And inside a buzzing venue packed with developers, dreamers, and a whole lot of cutting-edge AI, the MLH x Google Gemini AI Roadshow kicked off — and I was lucky enough to be there.

This Wasn’t Your Average Tech Meetup

The vibe was electric from the jump. Picture this: an open bar, a soundtrack of laid-back beats, and rows of demo stations glowing with possibility. Add in some incredible local food (yes, I’m still thinking about the bao buns), and the setting was perfect for something bigger than just another tech event.

AI, Unleashed

The real magic was in the tech. Google Gemini brought their latest models, and the crowd brought the curiosity. We got a look at live demos from builders already doing wild things — think AI-powered code copilots, real-time generative visuals, and smart assistants that actually feel smart.

Google’s own teams from DeepMind and Labs pulled back the curtain on what’s next. These weren’t just keynote slides — they gave us insight into how Gemini’s models are evolving, and how anyone (yes, even you) can start building with them.

Code, Connect, Repeat

What made the night different was how hands-on it felt. This wasn’t about sitting through lectures — it was about meeting other makers, talking shop, and realizing just how much potential AI is unlocking right now.

I bumped into Mohamad Slim, my teammate from an IBM hackathon. Total coincidence — and totally awesome to catch up.
It was also great meeting Saksham Kapoor and Shah. Shah and I hit it off right away — we’ve got a surprising amount in common. We're both from a mechanical engineering background and spent time studying in Germany. Always cool to find those kinds of unexpected overlaps in a crowd like this.