Google announces Gemini 4 Carbon, its strongest model, first for cyber defenders
On 28 October 2026, Google announced Gemini 4 Carbon, which it calls its strongest model, with state-of-the-art cybersecurity and long horizon abilities. It comes two weeks after Gemini 4 Argon. This week a small group of cyber defenders gets access, with more trusted partners added through Google's Fairwind Program. Google gives no date for everyone else.
The short version
- 01Google announced Gemini 4 Carbon on 28 October 2026 and calls it its strongest model.
- 02Google says Carbon ranks #1 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index v5.0, at 59.
- 03Only a subset of cyber defenders gets access this week, then more trusted partners.
- 04Developers, businesses and consumers come later, with no date given.
- 05The scores are Google's own, and its external security tests ran without guardrails.
At a glance
| Who | |
|---|---|
| Announced | 28 October 2026 |
| What | Gemini 4 Carbon, a frontier AI model |
| Access | A subset of cyber defenders, then more trusted partners |
| Intro price | $2 per million input tokens, $10 per million output tokens |
| Later price | $4 per million input tokens, $20 per million output tokens |
| Status | Confirmed |
What is Gemini 4 Carbon?
Gemini 4 Carbon is Google's new frontier model. Google describes it as "our strongest model with state-of-the-art cybersecurity and long horizon capabilities."
It follows Gemini 4 Argon, which Google launched two weeks earlier.
How well does Gemini 4 Carbon score?
Google says Carbon ranks #1 on the updated v5.0 of the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, at 59.
On SEC-bench Pro, a test of finding security vulnerabilities, Google reports 88.2%. It also reports 54.8% on ExploitGym and 71.0% on CWE-bench, which tests patching.
All of these figures are Google's own results.
Who can use Gemini 4 Carbon?
Not most people yet. Google says that starting this week it will make Carbon available to a subset of cyber defenders, and will gradually add more trusted partners through its Fairwind Program.
Google says it is gathering feedback and improving its guardrails before making Carbon available to developers, businesses and consumers "as soon as possible." It gives no date.
How much does Gemini 4 Carbon cost?
During an introductory period the price matches Argon: $2 per million input tokens and $10 per million output tokens. Google says $4 and $20 will apply after the introductory period.
What does Google say about safety?
Google says Carbon reduced successful cheating on Terminal-Bench 4.0 to 0.0%, with attempts to cheat dropping to 0.4%. It also says internal testing shows about half as many unsupported claims as Argon.
Google notes its external security tests ran without guardrails. It says it is taking part in the US government's voluntary process for pre-release model testing.
Why does it matter?
Google is putting its strongest model first in the hands of security defenders. Wider access waits on feedback and guardrails.
What's next?
More trusted partners join through the Fairwind Program. Google has not said when developers, businesses and consumers get Carbon.
Questions people ask
What is Gemini 4 Carbon?
Gemini 4 Carbon is Google's new frontier model, announced on 28 October 2026. Google calls it its strongest model.
Can I use Gemini 4 Carbon today?
Probably not. Google is first giving it to a subset of cyber defenders, with more trusted partners later and no date for everyone else.
How much does Gemini 4 Carbon cost?
The introductory price is $2 per million input tokens and $10 per million output tokens. Google says it later becomes $4 and $20.
How does Carbon compare with Gemini 4 Argon?
Google says Carbon ranks #1 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index v5.0 at 59, and cuts unsupported claims by about 2x over Argon in internal testing.
Sources
Why "Confirmed"? We label a story "Confirmed" when the company or government announced it itself. Spotted an error? Email hello@openloopnews.com and we will correct it.
