Back in the Fall, students participated in a 2-day creative Makeathon organized by Google Labs. The event included a mix of workshops, speakers, and fireside chats at Google’s Playa Vista offices and at the Iovine and Young Hall. Academy students Zavion Green and Clarence Keith took home a win and scored an invite to the annual developer conference Google I/O 2025 in Mountain View, California.

Both Green and Keith were able to secure funds for travel thanks to a student opportunity fund provided by the Academy. Read our Q&A with Green and Keith about their experience from Makeathon to conference! 

You were both invited to attend Google I/O after winning the inaugural Google Makeathon during Fall ’24. Can you tell us what that was like and what you developed to win?

Zavion Green: The Google Makeathon was an incredible experience. It was the first time I was exposed to how AI can be used as a creative collaborator rather than a threat to creative communities. The two-day event featured industry speakers in AI development and student creatives who actively used AI in their work. 

Katie Luo's presentation especially stood out. Her film” Dear Mom”, which won a 2024 AI Film Festival Merit Award, blended live and AI-generated video to tell a deeply emotional story. It was the most beautiful example of how AI can elevate storytelling without compromising human authenticity. Hearing from a fellow USC undergraduate about how AI can be used to create award winning films was truly captivating. 

Inspired by Katie’s work and Google’s showcase of generative AI tools, my partner Clarence Keith and I chose Track A: the Creative Expression track. Our goal was to show how artists can use AI to deepen emotional impact. As a painter, I often struggle to express certain feelings through visuals alone. So, we used Runway ML, combined with live footage of my painting Skyfall, to create a video that amplifies the piece’s message: how the memory of love can offer escape through the mourning of loss. 

The biggest challenge was navigating unfamiliar tools like Runway ML and Adobe Premiere’s new generative video feature. However, the Makeathon gave us the opportunity to connect with professionals from the Google team who were well-versed in AI tools. Mentorship from Google Labs – along with guidance from Katie Luo – was key for Clarence and me to understand the software and create a quality project.

Clarence Keith: I had no clue we’d won the Google Makeathon until my partner Zavion texted me out of the blue one night, ecstatic. Those who know me wouldn’t be surprised if I said, “I had confidence we’d win,” but honestly, I wasn’t sure. So it was a surreal and exciting moment. For the Makeathon, we created a creative video submission that combined Zavion’s personal story with our shared interest in emerging tech. We utilized tools like Luma Labs for image-to-video generation, and incorporated Google’s AI tools to develop something that felt narrative-forward yet technically intriguing. It was a true collaborative process – we worked together to plan the flow, structure each scene, and make sure it all came together into something cohesive and powerful. While the video centered around Zavion’s story, our effort was very much a team exercise in creative and technical synthesis. The win wasn’t just about the final product – it was about showcasing how AI can be used for deeply personal storytelling, which I think resonated with the judges. Getting invited to Google I/O as a result was just the cherry on top.

What were you most excited to see released and what do you imagine you’ll be using it for in the future?

ZG: As a co-founder of a business development company, I was especially excited to see the tools Google is creating to transform how brand designers and creatives work. I was blown away by the range of technologies that help take ideas from concept to execution – tools accessible not just to seasoned creatives, but honestly to anyone with a vision. 

Google Canvas, where language becomes functioning code, and Google Flow, which turns concepts into video content, are two softwares I believe are changing the speed and scale of creative execution. With Gemini as a central project manager, it’s now possible to build apps, create video marketing, and manage workflows with unprecedented ease. 

Projects like DolphinGemma – where AI is translating decades of dolphin vocalizations into human language – push the boundaries even further. They show that AI isn’t just redefining how we build, but what we believe is possible to build. It reminded me that one of the core foundations behind innovation is imagination which has no ceiling – only starting points. 

While experience and skill still matter, these tools represent a breakthrough in accessibility and creative power. For me, this means I can push further, faster, and with greater freedom. Additionally as I grow my technical skills at the Academy, I can eventually learn to create innovative softwares myself that doesn't just solve problems but affects the way we approach problem solving.

CK: As someone heavily interested in AI, I was most excited about the new Gemini app agent updates. Seeing Google release a version of Gemini that operates like a task-completing agent – automating complex, multi-step actions within the app – was incredible. From what I understand, it’s like Manus.im but with Gemini 2.5’s serious reasoning power. It’s not just about chatbot interactions anymore – it’s like having a personal assistant who can think, strategize, and execute. I can already see myself using it for project workflows, content planning, and even real-world logistics like organizing files, schedules, and launching creative initiatives.

Another thing that stood out to me was the collaboration between Google and Gentle Monster on the upcoming Android XR glasses. That was unexpected — and fire. I’ve wanted XR glasses for a while now, but pairing them with Gentle Monster’s fashion-forward design makes it something I’d actually want to wear. That crossover between tech and high design is where my interests live, so seeing that product on the horizon makes me excited to explore how immersive wearables can fit into the aesthetic and utility of daily life. It felt like Google wasn’t just innovating function – they’re starting to innovate form, too.

Did you get any hands-on experience at I/O? Tell us about it!

ZG: Yes! Attendees had the opportunity to interact with all the new technologies announced at the conference. Creatively, I was especially drawn to Google Canvas. In my second semester at the Academy, I studied back-end development both in and outside the classroom so I could bring my ideas to life through websites and apps. With Google Canvas, I watched my ideas turn into a working web framework in just minutes. 

It was exciting to see Gemini generate clean, editable code in real time. Because of my experience with coding, I was able to understand what it produced and make custom adjustments right away. 

Another standout moment was seeing Gemini’s latest advancement in robotics. Before the conference, I assumed AI robotics were already highly advanced – after all, they can assist in surgeries. But I learned that in controlled environments like operating rooms, tasks are easier for AI due to the lack of unpredictability. In contrast, robotics in home environments face much more complexity.

Seeing Google’s Gemini-powered robots successfully navigate dynamic, uncontrolled spaces made it clear that AI is making rapid breakthroughs across industries – and the possibilities are only expanding. The beauty of having Gemini at the center of these diverse new technologies is that it allows creators to move seamlessly from ideation to development, marketing, and execution – all within the same workspace.

CK: We got to try almost everything Google was showing – except the Android XR glasses, which had a crazy line all day. One of the most exciting hands-on experiences for me was playing with Google Veo 3. What stood out wasn’t just the video generation – it was that it created video with sound, simultaneously. That’s something I hadn’t seen before. Typically, you generate visuals, then sync the audio afterward. But Veo 3 generated it all together – high quality visuals and audio – while offering four different versions of your prompt at once. That got me thinking about how I could push my own creative projects, from fashion storytelling to future-forward promotional work.

We also explored Gemini 2.5 Pro and played around with Canvas mode. Zavion actually built a working app mockup for something he’s launching soon, right there at the booth. It was wild seeing an idea go from concept to clickable UI in a few minutes. It showed how far AI has come, not just in generating content but in supporting functional product creation. It was also just fun being around people who build. I even met some tech YouTubers I watch regularly, which made the whole experience even more surreal.

How has attending I/O inspired you for the upcoming school year? 

ZG: Before the conference, I struggled with imposter syndrome. I’ve always seen myself as more of a designer and business strategist than a traditional developer. So being invited to a developer’s conference initially made me feel out of place. 

But that changed quickly. As I sat through the keynotes, tested out new tools, and had genuine conversations with industry professionals, I realized something I hadn’t fully grasped before: the definition of a “developer” is evolving. It’s no longer limited to just lines of code—it’s about creativity, project vision, and the ability to build ideas into experiences using whatever tools are available. 

I saw that my creative thinking, storytelling instincts, and ability to connect design, tech, and business were not just relevant – they were essential. With AI rapidly expanding the developer’s toolkit, the industry is making space for people like me to lead: people who think cross-functionally, who know how to manage ideas from concept to reality, and who understand that innovation requires both imagination and execution. 

Heading into my sophomore year, I’m done letting ideas sit on the shelf because I didn’t feel “technical enough.” With the tools I’ve gained at the Academy and what I saw at Google I/O, I know I can take any concept and move it toward full-scale production. Whether that means designing it, building it, managing it, or all three.

While collaboration and expertise still matter, tools like Gemini are making it easier for creators to also be project managers. And that’s exactly where my skill set thrives.

CK: Attending I/O changed how I think about AI. It’s not just a tool for generating websites or videos – it’s a mindset shift. It showed me that AI can extend into how we organize our lives, iterate on concepts, and bring our creative visions to life faster than ever. Gemini 2.5 in particular stood out, especially its ability to simulate ideas and help you map them out visually, functionally, and interactively. That kind of support can take you from a spark of an idea to a working prototype in minutes. I’m excited to apply that to my upcoming projects – whether it's wearable design, brand building, or creating immersive experiences.

More broadly, I/O made me realize that the real opportunity is in building with AI, not just using it. As I prepare for the next school year, I want to deepen my understanding of how to integrate AI into everything I create – from back-end structure to front-end experience. I’m also thinking more about collaboration – how to bring people from different disciplines into the process and use AI as a connective tissue. It inspired me to be even more ambitious in what I dream up this year.

What’s your biggest take away from I/O and do you hope to attend other keynotes in the future?

ZG: Last year, I competed in the inaugural Google Labs Makeathon to explore how AI can expand storytelling. Fast forward a few months, and I was at Google I/O – invited as a developer – to witness the next wave of creative potential. From the keynote stage to breakout sessions, one message rang clear: the future belongs to those who build without limits.

As an artist and co-founder, I’ve spent the last year encouraging students at USC to move fast, imagine freely, and create boldly. Google’s latest innovations prove that anyone with an idea can go from sketch to system in hours, not months. We're entering a golden era of creativity – where AI isn't just a tool but a co-creator. 

I feel incredibly fortunate to be studying these concepts through my major at the Iovine and Young Academy. Dean Thanassis and Jimmy Iovine have each personally told me that project management is the future – and Google I/O was a testament to that vision. In the near future, companies won’t just be hiring coders or designers – they’ll be looking for leaders who can integrate design, technology, and business to bring big ideas to life. 

To have attended Google I/O as an 18-year-old developer is an incredible blessing, and I hope to return next year – hopefully as a speaker representing Google Labs. I’m also interested in other conferences like Adobe MAX, which explores creativity and technology. I’d love to see how Adobe addresses the evolving relationship between artists, AI, and creative communities.

CK: My biggest takeaway from I/O is that we are quickly heading toward an AI-centered future  – but we’re not quite there yet. Right now, we have AI applications, integrated tools, and advanced services – but not truly AI-native products. There’s no mainstream hardware yet that fully rethinks what AI-first design could be. That realization gave me motivation to think about what it means to design for a world where AI isn’t just a plug-in – it’s the foundation.

I/O also reminded me how important it is to stay at the forefront of this shift. The future will belong to those who not only understand these tools but can creatively bend them into new forms. I absolutely want to attend more keynotes in the future (WWDC wink wink). Being in the room where future tech is introduced in real time gives you a different kind of fire. And honestly? Meeting some of the YouTubers I follow who cover this space was a big moment for me too. It reminded me that we’re all just students of innovation – and it’s on us to decide how deep we go.

After winning a Makeathon in Fall '24, USC Iovine and Young Academy students were invited to attend annual developer conference Google I/O 2025.

Academy Students Win Makeathon and Attend Google I/O 2025