Ddos 
Google AI Studio is an artificial intelligence testing platform developed by Google for use by developers. It enables fine-tuning of models and reduces usage restrictions. In addition, Google offers free API access to hosted models for developers through this platform.
However, starting in May, Google ceased offering the Gemini 2.5 Pro series models to free-tier users on the platform. The company has also announced a transition to a new system that is entirely based on API keys, requiring users to supply their own API credentials.
At present, Google continues to provide developers with complimentary API keys via Google Cloud. Yet, in the future, this provision may be discontinued, although Google has emphasized that the free tier of Google AI Studio will remain available in the short term.
A Google employee responsible for the AI API platform stated:
“Moving AI Studio to be API key based does not mean you won’t get free access to stuff. We have a free tier in the API used by millions of developers (more people than use the UI experience, by design).”
“Many folks mentioned 2.5 Pro as not being available for free in the API, this is in large because we offered it for free in the UI as well so we were giving out double free compute in a world where we have a huge amount of demand. I expect there will continue to be a free tier for many models in the future (though subject to many things like how the model is, how expensive it is to run, etc), and 2.5 Pro will hopefully be back in the free tier (we are exploring ways to do this, lifetime limits, different incentives etc).”
“We will do this in a thoughtful way to minimize disruption, provide clear messaging, a great product experience, and make sure that Google has the world’s best models, consumer products, and AI developer platforms.”
At present, the primary challenge for Google AI Studio users is that they can only access the Gemini 2.0 series models under the free plan. Attempts to call the Gemini 2.5 series result in an HTTP 429 error, which explicitly states that the series is not supported under the free tier.
However, the Gemini 2.0 models are significantly inferior in capability compared to the Gemini 2.5 series. As such, continuing to access Google AI Studio’s most advanced AI models without cost may now prove difficult. Judging by Google’s recent statements, it appears unlikely that free access to Gemini 2.5 Pro will return anytime soon.
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