ToolsJuly 21, 2026via The Verge AI

Google launches a cheaper alternative to large AI security models like Mythos

Why it matters

Google is shipping Gemini 3.5 Flash Cyber, a cost-optimized security model built for vulnerability detection and patching. This is a direct competitive play against Anthropic's premium Mythos offering, targeting government and enterprise buyers through CodeMender, its security-focused coding agent.

Key signals

  • Google launches Gemini 3.5 Flash Cyber as cost-efficient alternative to Anthropic's Mythos
  • Model available first to governments and trusted partners via CodeMender
  • CodeMender can call 3.5 Flash Cyber multiple times at high speed and low cost
  • Built upon Gemini 3.5 Flash foundation
  • Positioned as vulnerability detection and patching solution

The hook

Google just launched a cheaper AI security model. It's already undercutting Anthropic's Mythos on cost.

Google is launching Gemini 3.6 Flash alongside a new security model dedicated to quickly finding and patching security vulnerabilities. In a blog post on Tuesday, Google describes Gemini 3.5 Flash Cyber as a "cost-efficient and highly capable alternative" to larger, more expensive AI systems, such a

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