Google Labs Launches Opal for AI Mini Apps

Google Labs has announced the public beta of Opal, an innovative tool designed for building AI mini apps by combining prompts, tools, and models through natural language and visual editing.

Launched on July 24, Opal is currently available exclusively in the United States. This new tool aims to expedite the prototyping of AI ideas and workflows, serve as a platform for demonstrating proofs of concept, and assist users in constructing custom AI applications that can enhance productivity. Described as an experimental product, Opal explores the future of development with AI models and prompts by enabling users to create functional applications with ease.

The beta version includes a demo gallery featuring starter templates, which users can utilize as-is or modify to better suit their specific needs. According to Google Labs, Opal lets developers bring their prompts to life without requiring coding expertise, simplifying workflows and empowering users to construct multi-step applications by connecting prompts, AI model invokes, and various tools.

Users can describe the logic of their applications, and Opal will then generate a visual workflow. Additionally, the tool translates instructions into visual formats for easy editing, providing granular control without needing to sift through any lines of code.

Developers can utilize conversational natural language commands, a visual editor, or a mixture of both to build and remix AI mini apps. Whether a user wants to adjust a prompt step, add a new feature, or call a specific tool, they can do so by editing in the visual interface or simply articulating the exchange verbally. Once an app is complete, it can be shared immediately using a personal Google account.