Google has announced a major change to its artificial intelligence services, renaming Bard as Gemini and introducing a new app and subscription plan for users who want to access its most advanced AI model.
Bard was launched in early 2023 as a web-based chatbot that allowed users to interact with Google's AI models and collaborate on various tasks, such as writing, coding, learning, and creating. Bard was powered by Gemini, a family of large-scale language models that Google developed to compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT.
However, Google found that the Bard name was not resonating with users and decided to rebrand it as Gemini, to match the name of the AI models that power it. Gemini also reflects Google's vision of creating an AI companion that can help users with a wide range of tasks and scenarios.
"Since we launched Bard last year, people all over the world have used it to collaborate with AI in a completely new way — to prepare for job interviews, debug code, brainstorm new business ideas or, as we announced last week, create captivating images. Our mission with Bard has always been to give you direct access to our AI models, and Gemini represents our most capable family of models. To reflect this, Bard will now simply be known as Gemini," said Sissie Hsiao, Google's vice president of Gemini experiences and Assistant.
Along with the rebranding, Google also launched Gemini Advanced, a new experience that gives users access to Ultra 1.0, Google's largest and most capable state-of-the-art AI model. Ultra 1.0 is able to handle more complex tasks, such as coding, logical reasoning, following nuanced instructions, and collaborating on creative projects. It also has a better understanding of the context and the user's preferences, allowing for longer and more detailed conversations.
Gemini Advanced is available as part of the new Google One AI Premium Plan, which costs $19.99 per month and includes 2TB of storage and other benefits of the existing Google One Premium plan. Users can try Gemini Advanced for free for two months before deciding whether to subscribe.
To make Gemini more accessible and convenient for users, Google also launched a new mobile app for Android devices, which is available for download from the Google Play Store. The app allows users to chat with Gemini on their phones, using voice or text input, and access various features and modes, such as writing, coding, learning, and creating. The app also integrates with other Google services, such as Gmail, Drive, Photos, and Calendar, to help users manage their lives and tasks with the help of AI.
The Gemini app will also be available for iOS devices in the coming weeks, through the Google app.
Google hopes that Gemini will become a popular and useful AI companion for users, who can leverage its capabilities to enhance their productivity, creativity, and learning. Google also plans to add more features and improvements to Gemini over time, such as multimodal capabilities, interactive coding features, deeper data analysis capabilities, and more.
Google's rebranding of Bard as Gemini and its launch of a new app and subscription plan are seen as a strategic move to gain an edge over its competitors in the AI market, such as OpenAI, Microsoft, and Amazon. Google claims that Gemini Advanced with Ultra 1.0 is now the most preferred chatbot compared to leading alternatives, according to its third-party raters.
However, some experts and critics have raised concerns about the potential risks and ethical implications of using such powerful and pervasive AI services, such as privacy, security, bias, accountability, and social impact. Google says that it is committed to developing and deploying AI responsibly and in accordance with its AI principles¹.
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