Google is releasing a new messaging app called Allo with its search and assistant baked in

After falling behind to tech rivals on mobile messaging, Google is jumping back in. And it's leading with its artificial intelligence chops.

At its I/O developer conference, Google introduced a new app called Allo that incorporates its personal assistant and artificial intelligence tech into the app.

"Given our expertise in machine learning, we wanted to approach this core use case from a new perspective," CEO Sundar Pichai said onstage introducing the project.

Allo's key feature is having Google's intelligence baked in — its search-based assistant as well as its "smart reply" feature from Google inbox.

"Allo uses machine learning to suggest replies on the fly, anticipating what you might want to say next," Erik Kay, a Google engineering manager, said onstage. "These aren't just canned replies; Allo learns over time."

Google did not clarify how this will work with its existing messaging products: Hangouts and its native Android Messenger app.

Google also introduced Duo, another messaging app for video calling. It looks like the remnants of Google Voice and has built in encryption services. And Kay noted that Duo will "seamlessly switch from wireless to cellular networks."

But he didn't go into details on how Duo and Allo will work on low-bandwidth networks, in emerging markets, where Facebook's WhatsApp dominates.

Both Allo and Duo are coming "later this year."

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year that this was coming.