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Published on 2024-02-14 09:42:06
Google made an announcement regarding the rebranding of its conversational AI chatbot previously known as Bard to Gemini. The company revealed that the new name was chosen to better reflect the advanced large language model technology that powers the AI assistant. This rebranding coincides with the launch of upgraded Gemini apps for iOS and Android, which will enable users to access the chatbot through hands-free voice commands and text chatting. Additionally, users can now engage with Gemini directly through the Google Search app on their mobile devices.
While the standard Gemini is powered by a lightweight version of Google’s proprietary Prospero language model, the company has also developed more robust Gemini iterations that are tailored for specialized use cases. Sissie Hsiao, the GM of Gemini Experiences, emphasized that Google is taking significant steps to make AI more helpful for everyone, supporting an entire ecosystem from consumer products to platforms aiding developers and enterprises.
This move represents Google’s initial foray into directly competing with other chatbots, such as Microsoft’s Bing and Anthropic’s Claude. However, the tech giant has stressed the importance of responsible testing and deployment, prioritizing the advancement of technology cautiously. The company aims to perfect conversational tone, reasoning ability, and multimodal features, with the goal of evolving Gemini into a versatile digital assistant capable of addressing a wide range of tasks and use cases.
Potential applications of Gemini include generating images for party invitations, providing instructions for tasks based on a photo, and leveraging Google Assistant capabilities for smart home device control. To further enhance the AI experience, Google has introduced new subscription tiers that unlock improved versions of the chatbot. For a monthly fee of $19.99, buyers of the Google One AI Premium Package can access Gemini Advanced, which offers enhanced features and a storage allowance of up to 2TB.
This premium model, labeled “Ultra 1.0,” is designed to enable sophisticated reasoning for complex tasks such as computer programming and creative collaboration. Google intends for Gemini Advanced to align with competitive offerings from rivals who charge extra for enhanced chatbot services. Initially, Gemini will be available in English in the U.S. before expanding internationally, as the company seeks to gather diverse user experiences to direct future training and development.
Google has positioned the Gemini rollout as the “first step” in the development of a multifunctional AI assistant for consumers and businesses. The company is committed to gradually introducing and improving AI capabilities across its products, including Search, Maps, and office software. Drawing on data from billions of existing users, Google is confident that Gemini has the potential to surpass competitors in terms of accuracy, language breadth, and utility as it continues to evolve and improve.
