Google LLC said today it’s renaming its artificial intelligence chatbot Bard to Gemini to reflect the large language model that powers the service and will bring the chatbot to Android devices to become an opt-in experience as an AI assistant.

Gemini is the name of Google’s most powerful LLM, capable of holding conversations, advanced text generation, answering questions, summarizing questions and generating computer code. It comes in three sizes: Gemini Nano runs locally on mobile devices, Gemini Pro underlies the newly named Gemini chatbot, and Gemini Ultra is the most complex and powerful model in the family. Google recently announced that its chatbot now uses Gemini Pro across all regions.

Rolling out today, Android users in the U.S. will be able to opt in to using Gemini as their default assistant the same way that they use Google Assistant. For example, clicking a side button or saying “OK Google,” which will bring up Gemini. They can interact with the generative AI chatbot using text or their voice, which is capable of understanding conversational language and images.

It will also act as an overlay over users’ screens, which means that it can “see” what they’re currently doing on the phone, including what apps are running or what articles they’re reading. This means that if users have questions about what is written in the articles, they can call up Gemini and have it answered.

For example, a user could take a picture of a houseplant and ask Gemini what kind of plant it is and how to take care of it. Gemini could then answer with details and facts about its care and feeding, watering schedule, and where to place it for the best light and the kind of fertilizer it needs to thrive.

Many Google Assistant features will also be available to Gemini, including setting timers, making calls and controlling smart home devices. Google said that the assistant will receive support for more capabilities over time.

For iOS users, Gemini will be coming to the Google app in the coming weeks. It will be accessible with a Gemini toggle that will allow users to talk to the chatbot using voice and images to answer questions and create social media posts.

Gemini’s capabilities are coming to Workspace and Google Cloud. Duet AI for Workspace and Google Cloud will now be Gemini for Workspace and Google Cloud. Soon, Workspace consumers will be able to access Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides and Meet as their personal AI assistant.

Google also unveiled Gemini Advanced, which will give users access to Gemini Ultra 1.0, the biggest and most complex AI model the company has created. The Ultra model has provided a vast array of multimodal capabilities, including more interactive coding features, deeper logical analysis, the ability to hold longer and more detailed conversations and more, Sissie Hsiao, vice president and general manager of Gemini, said in a press briefing.

“In blind evaluations with third-party raters Gemini Advanced is now the most preferred chatbot compared to leading alternatives,” said Hsiao. “Not only does Gemini Advanced allow you to write longer prompts but it can also better understand the context of your previous prompts.”

Using this new capability users will have access to a highly advanced AI assistant that can act as a personal tutor, which will be sensitive to their needs and intentions – providing step-by-step instructions, generating quizzes or engaging in instruction tailored to a specific learning style. It can also be asked to behave in a particular manner that is sensitive to a particular subject manner and act as a creative collaborator to help generate fresh content, analyze recent trends and assist with data analysis.

Gemini Advanced is available as part of the Google One AI Premium Plan for $19.99 a month. Google is offering two months free to start before users have to pay the monthly fee. The AI Premium plan offers all the benefits of the Premium plan, including 2 terabytes of storage. Additionally, subscribers to the AI plan will soon be able to access Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Slides and Sheets as Gemini in Workspace.

Image: rawpixel/Freepik