Google has announced a significant rebrand of Bard, its artificial intelligence chatbot and assistant, now unveiling it as Gemini. This rebrand coincides with the introduction of a new app and subscription options. Gemini, powered by the suite of AI models with the same name, is positioned as a chief competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
The rebranding efforts are not only cosmetic but also include new ways for consumers to access the AI tool. Android users can now download a dedicated app for Gemini, while iPhone users can utilize Gemini within the Google app on iOS.
This move underscores Google’s commitment to advancing AI assistants, aligning with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai’s emphasis on the company’s dedication to AI during the recent earnings call. Pichai envisions offering an AI agent capable of completing various tasks on users’ behalf, including integration within Google Search.
Moreover, Google introduces a new AI subscription option, Gemini Ultra 1.0, catering to power users seeking access to the most potent AI model. The subscription, priced at US$19.99 per month through Google One, includes a two-month free trial and integrates with existing Google One storage plans.
Although the rollout is currently available only in English in over 150 countries and territories, Google plans to expand language support to include Japanese and Korean soon, along with other languages.
The rebranding extends beyond the chatbot itself. Duet AI, formerly part of Google Workspace and Google Cloud, will now be known as Gemini for Workspace and Gemini for Google Cloud, offering productivity enhancements for client companies.
Google One subscribers with the AI subscription will also gain access to Gemini’s assistant capabilities across various Google platforms, including Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet. The incorporation of context from users’ content in Gmail, Docs, and Drive aims to enhance user experience and productivity.
According to Sissie Hsiao, a vice president at Google, the rebrand aims to clarify that users are interacting directly with the advanced AI models underlying the chatbot.
While Gemini’s current capabilities are focused on tasks such as summarising and generating to-do lists, Google envisions future enhancements that could enable AI agents to perform more complex functions, such as scheduling group activities and handling specific job functions.
As Google continues to invest in AI technology, the rollout of Gemini reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to advance conversational AI and productivity tools, setting the stage for future developments in the field.