In a move to consolidate its artificial intelligence (AI) efforts, Google has announced the rebranding of its AI chatbot Bard to Gemini, accompanied by the introduction of a paid tier and expansion to mobile devices. This development marks a significant step for Google's parent company, Alphabet, positioning Gemini as the primary brand for current and future AI initiatives, akin to Microsoft's approach with its Copilot brand.
Alphabet had initially introduced Gemini as a family of AI models anticipated to drive the next wave of AI advancements. This transformation follows the merger of Google's AI research units, DeepMind and Google Brain, into a unified division called Google DeepMind, led by DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis.
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai emphasised the evolution of Gemini beyond mere models, stating, "Gemini is evolving to be more than just the models. It supports an entire ecosystem — from the products that billions of people use every day, to the APIs and platforms helping developers and businesses innovate."
The rebranding of Bard into Gemini is intended to mirror the advanced technology at its core. Gemini will be available globally in over 40 languages across more than 230 countries and territories, maintaining its foundation on the Gemini Pro AI model.
Gemini Advanced: Unlocking New Capabilities
Gemini Advanced will allow users access to Google's largest and most capable AI model Gemini Ultra 1.0Formerly known as Bard Advanced, Gemini Advanced has been introduced, providing users access to Google's most powerful AI model, Gemini Ultra 1.0. Sissie Hsiao, Vice President and General Manager of Gemini Experiences (formerly Bard) and Google Assistant, highlighted the enhanced capabilities of Gemini Advanced in handling complex tasks such as coding, logical reasoning, and collaborative creative projects.
.Hsiao stated, "Gemini Advanced is more capable of highly complex tasks like coding, logical reasoning, understanding nuanced instructions, and collaborating on creative projects. It also better understands context from the user's previous prompts." The advanced tier aims to serve as a personal tutor and aid content creators in generating fresh, tailored material.
Additional features exclusive to Gemini Advanced are on the horizon, including expanded multimodal capabilities, interactive coding features, and enhanced data analysis capabilities.
Gemini Advanced: A Paid Tier Unveiled
Gemini Advanced is now part of the new Google One AI Premium Plan, priced at $19.99 per month, featuring an initial two-month free trial. This premium plan, available in over 150 countries and territories, offers 2 terabytes of storage, alongside premium benefits like extended group video calls and enhanced appointment scheduling.
Gemini Goes Mobile
In a bid to make Gemini more accessible, Google is launching a dedicated Gemini App on Android and incorporating Gemini into the flagship iOS app. This enables users to interact with Gemini through typing, voice commands, or image input for various tasks on the go.
Sissie Hsiao emphasized the significance of this step, stating, "It’s an important first step in building a true AI assistant — one that is conversational, multimodal, and helpful."
Android users can opt-in to make Gemini their primary assistant, allowing access through standard activation methods like the power button or voice commands. The Gemini app will support various Google Assistant voice features, indicating a potential replacement for the existing Google Assistant over time.
While Gemini will initially be available in English on Android and iOS in the United States, broader availability is expected in the coming weeks, with plans to expand language support to the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
First Published: Feb 8, 2024 11:06 PM IST
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