Google released Gemini 3.1 Pro on February 19, 2026, delivering substantial improvements in reasoning capabilities that position it at the top of independent AI benchmark leaderboards. The model achieves 77.1% on ARC-AGI-2—a benchmark testing novel logic pattern recognition—and ranks first on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index with a score of 57.05. Here’s everything you need to know about Google’s latest reasoning breakthrough and how it stacks against competitors.
What is Gemini 3.1 Pro?
Gemini 3.1 Pro is Google’s upgraded flagship reasoning model, building on the Gemini 3 series architecture released in late 2025. According to Google’s official announcement, it represents “a step forward in core reasoning” and serves as a “smarter, more capable baseline for complex problem-solving.”1
The model is designed specifically for tasks where simple answers aren’t sufficient. Unlike standard conversational AI that generates quick responses, Gemini 3.1 Pro employs advanced reasoning to break down complex problems, synthesize multiple data sources, and produce nuanced outputs across coding, analysis, and creative applications.1
How Does Gemini 3.1 Pro Work?
Gemini 3.1 Pro utilizes an enhanced reasoning architecture that processes information through multiple reasoning steps before generating final outputs. While Google hasn’t disclosed full technical specifications, the model demonstrates several distinctive capabilities:1
Code-based generation: The model can generate website-ready animated SVGs directly from text prompts, maintaining crisp quality at any scale due to their pure code construction rather than pixel-based rendering. This enables significantly smaller file sizes compared to traditional video formats.
Complex system synthesis: Gemini 3.1 Pro bridges gaps between complex APIs and user-friendly designs. In demonstrated applications, the model successfully configured public telemetry streams to build live aerospace dashboards visualizing the International Space Station’s orbit.
Interactive design capabilities: The model codes complex 3D simulations—such as starling murmurations—creating immersive experiences with hand-tracking manipulation and generative audio that responds to visual elements.
Creative coding: Gemini 3.1 Pro translates literary themes into functional code, reasoning through atmospheric tones to design contemporary interfaces that capture the essence of source material.
Gemini 3.1 Pro Benchmarks
Independent benchmark evaluations position Gemini 3.1 Pro at the forefront of AI reasoning capabilities:
| Benchmark | Gemini 3.1 Pro | Claude Opus 4.6 | GPT-5.2 | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index | 57.05 | 53.03 | 51.24 | Composite reasoning evaluation2 |
| ARC-AGI-2 | 77.1% | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Novel logic pattern recognition1 |
| Terminal-Bench 2.0 | Competitive | Highest score | Strong | Agentic coding evaluation3 |
| Humanity’s Last Exam | Not disclosed | Leading | Strong | Multidisciplinary reasoning test3 |
The Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index—incorporating 10 evaluations including GDPval-AA, Terminal-Bench Hard, SciCode, and GPQA Diamond—currently ranks Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview first among all tested models with a score of 57.05, ahead of Claude Opus 4.6 (max) at 53.03 and GPT-5.2 (xhigh) at 51.24.2
How Gemini 3.1 Pro Compares to Claude and GPT
The AI model landscape in early 2026 features intense competition between three major players: Google’s Gemini series, Anthropic’s Claude family, and OpenAI’s GPT models. Each approaches reasoning differently, with distinct strengths and trade-offs.
Gemini 3.1 Pro vs Claude Opus 4.6
Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.6, released February 5, 2026, represents the closest competitor to Gemini 3.1 Pro. Claude Opus 4.6 achieves the highest score on Terminal-Bench 2.0 (agentic coding) and leads on Humanity’s Last Exam.3
Key differentiators include:
- Context window: Claude Opus 4.6 features a 1 million token context window in beta, enabling processing of entire codebases and lengthy documents3
- Pricing: Claude Opus 4.6 API pricing remains at $5/$25 per million tokens (input/output)3
- Computer use: Claude models pioneered general-purpose computer use capabilities in October 2024, with Sonnet 4.6 showing continued improvement on OSWorld benchmarks4
- Safety focus: Anthropic emphasizes safety evaluations, reporting “low rates of misaligned behavior” across safety tests3
Google counters with Gemini 3.1 Pro’s superior ARC-AGI-2 performance and broader availability across consumer and enterprise platforms without requiring the Ultra subscription tier for basic access.
Gemini 3.1 Pro vs GPT-5.2
OpenAI’s GPT-5.2, positioned as “the best model for coding and agentic tasks,” competes aggressively on pricing and ecosystem integration:5
| Feature | Gemini 3.1 Pro | GPT-5.2 | Claude Opus 4.6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input pricing (per 1M tokens) | Varies by tier | $1.75 | $5.00 |
| Output pricing (per 1M tokens) | Varies by tier | $14.00 | $25.00 |
| Reasoning approach | Integrated | Configurable effort | Extended thinking |
| API availability | Preview | General | General |
GPT-5.2 offers configurable reasoning effort (low/medium/high), allowing developers to balance speed against accuracy.6 However, Gemini 3.1 Pro’s integrated reasoning approach and superior benchmark scores suggest Google has narrowed or closed the gap OpenAI previously held with o1 and o3 models.
Availability and Access
Google is rolling out Gemini 3.1 Pro across multiple platforms simultaneously:1
Developers can access the preview through:
- Gemini API in Google AI Studio
- Gemini CLI (command-line interface)
- Google Antigravity (agentic development platform)
- Android Studio integration
Enterprises receive access via:
- Vertex AI
- Gemini Enterprise
Consumers can use 3.1 Pro through:
- Gemini app (with higher limits for Pro and Ultra subscribers)
- NotebookLM (Pro and Ultra exclusive)
This broad availability contrasts with Anthropic’s tiered approach and OpenAI’s model-specific access patterns, potentially accelerating developer adoption.
Why Gemini 3.1 Pro Matters
The release of Gemini 3.1 Pro signals several important trends in AI development:
Reasoning as a differentiator: As base model capabilities converge, reasoning quality—measured by benchmarks like ARC-AGI-2 and Humanity’s Last Exam—increasingly determines model selection for complex enterprise workflows.
Multimodal reasoning advancement: Gemini 3.1 Pro’s ability to generate functional code from creative prompts, build interactive visualizations, and synthesize complex data streams demonstrates that reasoning extends beyond text into creative and technical domains.
Competitive pressure accelerates innovation: The 3.1 designation—rather than a full version bump—suggests Google can iterate rapidly on its Gemini 3 architecture, potentially shortening the feedback loop between research breakthroughs and production deployment.
Enterprise integration strategy: By simultaneously releasing across consumer, developer, and enterprise channels, Google signals its intent to make Gemini the default AI infrastructure across Google’s ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes Gemini 3.1 Pro different from Gemini 3 Pro? A: Gemini 3.1 Pro achieves more than double the reasoning performance on ARC-AGI-2 (77.1% vs. approximately 35% for 3 Pro) and leads independent benchmark rankings, making it specifically designed for complex problem-solving tasks where simpler models fail.
Q: Is Gemini 3.1 Pro free to use? A: Access varies by tier. The model is available to all users through the Gemini app with standard rate limits, while Pro and Ultra subscribers receive higher usage limits. Developer API access is currently in preview through Google AI Studio and Vertex AI.
Q: How does Gemini 3.1 Pro compare to OpenAI’s o3 models? A: As of February 2026, Gemini 3.1 Pro ranks higher than o3 models on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index. OpenAI has shifted focus to GPT-5 series models with configurable reasoning, while Google integrates reasoning capabilities directly into its Pro-tier models.
Q: Can Gemini 3.1 Pro be used for coding? A: Yes. Google specifically highlights code-based animation generation, complex system synthesis, and interactive design capabilities. The model is integrated into Gemini CLI and Android Studio for developer workflows.
Q: When will Gemini 3.1 Pro be generally available? A: Google released 3.1 Pro in preview on February 19, 2026, to validate updates before general availability. The company has not specified a date for full GA release but indicates it will be “soon” based on preview feedback.1
Footnotes
-
Google. “Gemini 3.1 Pro: A smarter model for your most complex tasks.” Google Blog, February 19, 2026. https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/models-and-research/gemini-models/gemini-3-1-pro/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7
-
Artificial Analysis. “Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index v4.0.” Artificial Analysis, February 2026. https://artificialanalysis.ai/ ↩ ↩2
-
Anthropic. “Claude Opus 4.6.” Anthropic News, February 5, 2026. https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-opus-4-6 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
-
Anthropic. “Introducing Sonnet 4.6.” Anthropic News, February 17, 2026. https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-sonnet-4-6 ↩
-
OpenAI. “Pricing.” OpenAI API Documentation, 2026. https://openai.com/api/pricing/ ↩
-
OpenAI. “Reasoning models.” OpenAI API Documentation, 2026. https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/reasoning ↩