https://wccftech.com/hey-google-no-longer-required-to-say-to-summon-google-assistant/

Interacting with Google Assistant required users to speak the phrase ‘Hey Google’, and while it was only a few syllables, there were instances in which the voice-powered AI could not catch what was being spoken. That all changes at Google I/O 2022, as one of the most significant changes is how users can interact with Google Assistant. For starters, ‘Hey Google’ will no longer be a prerequisite when summoning it. This feature was previously rumored, but the company has made it official with the latest announcement.

The first option for summoning Google Assistant is Look and Talk. For Nest Hub Max owners, this change is exactly what it sounds like, as you will have to look directly at the Nest Hub Max to start communicating. The device will then use face match and voice match to recognize you, giving you personalized results. The results processing is done locally, and according to Google, none of this facial recognition data is sent to the company’s servers.