Google Gemini: Everything You Need to Know About Google's Generative AI

Google has been making waves in the AI world with Gemini, its latest suite of generative AI models, applications, and services. But what exactly is Gemini? How can you use it? And how does it compare to other generative AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Meta’s Llama, and Microsoft’s Copilot?

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Gemini, and we’ll keep it updated with new features and models as Google releases them.

What is Google Gemini?

Gemini is Google’s next-generation AI model, developed by its research labs, DeepMind and Google Research. It comes in four different versions:

• Gemini Ultra: The most powerful model
• Gemini Pro: A high-performance version for more advanced tasks
• Gemini Flash: A faster, streamlined version of Pro
• Gemini Nano: Two smaller models, Nano-1 and Nano-2, designed for offline use

These models are multimodal, meaning they can work with different types of data like text, images, audio, and even code. This sets them apart from Google’s previous models, like LaMDA, which could only handle text.

However, there’s some controversy surrounding the ethics of training AI models on public data without permission. Google offers some protection for users of Gemini under its AI indemnification policy, but there are still legal gray areas, especially for commercial use.

Gemini Models vs. Gemini Apps

Gemini isn’t just about AI models—it also includes apps. These apps serve as the interface for interacting with the Gemini models, similar to how ChatGPT works. Available on both web and mobile, the apps allow you to use Gemini for tasks like answering questions, generating images, and summarizing documents.

On Android, the Gemini app has replaced Google Assistant, and on iOS, it functions through Google’s main app and Google Search. You can even use Gemini while interacting with other apps by holding the power button or saying “Hey Google.”

These apps can handle text, images, voice commands, and even videos, with conversations synced across devices if you're signed in with the same Google account.

Gemini Advanced

Gemini models are also being integrated into popular Google services like Gmail, Docs, and Slides. To access the more advanced features, you need to subscribe to the Google One AI Premium Plan, which costs $20 per month. This plan gives you access to Gemini Advanced, which allows you to handle larger projects and access more complex features like editing Python code.

Gemini Advanced can process around 750,000 words, or the equivalent of 1,500 pages of documents. It also offers other exclusive features like automatic trip planning, which takes into account flight times, restaurant preferences, and local attractions.

Business and Enterprise Plans

Gemini also caters to corporate customers through Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise plans. For $20 per user per month, the Business plan offers access to Gemini’s features in Google Workspace apps. The Enterprise plan costs $30 and up, adding features like meeting note-taking and document classification.

Gemini in Google Services

In Gmail, Gemini can write emails and summarize message threads, while in Google Docs, it helps generate and refine content. It also creates slides in Google Slides and manages data in Google Sheets by generating tables and formulas.

You’ll also find Gemini in Google Drive, where it can summarize files and give quick facts. In Meet, it translates captions into different languages. In Chrome, it acts as a writing assistant, helping you generate new content or rewrite existing text based on the web page you’re on.

Gemini for Developers

For developers, Gemini powers tools like Code Assist, previously known as Duet AI for Developers. It can help with code generation and debugging by offloading complex computations to Gemini models. Google’s security products, including Threat Intelligence, also rely on Gemini for analyzing malicious code and identifying potential threats.

Custom Gemini Chatbots and Extensions

At Google I/O 2024, the company introduced Gems, which are custom chatbots powered by Gemini. You can create these chatbots using natural language descriptions, like “Create a running coach chatbot,” and share them with others. Gemini extensions are also available, allowing the AI to interact with Google services like Gmail, Drive, and YouTube.

Voice Interactions with Gemini Live

For an even more interactive experience, Gemini Live offers in-depth voice chats. Available to Gemini Advanced subscribers, you can talk to Gemini in real-time, even interrupting it while it’s speaking. This feature also adapts to your voice patterns, and in the future, Gemini will be able to “see” your surroundings through your smartphone’s camera.

Image Generation with Imagen 3

If you’re interested in creating art, Imagen 3 is Google’s image-generation model integrated into Gemini. It’s designed to be more accurate and creative than its predecessor, Imagen 2. Initially, there were some issues with generating images of people, but Google has since brought back this feature for English-speaking Gemini Advanced users.

Teen-Focused Gemini

In June 2024, Google launched a version of Gemini tailored for teenagers. This version includes additional safety features and guides to help teens use AI responsibly, but it otherwise offers the same core functionality as the standard version.

Gemini in Smart Home Devices

Gemini is also becoming a key player in Google’s smart home devices, like the Nest Thermostat and Google TV Streamer. It helps personalize content suggestions, manage thermostat settings, and even analyze video feeds from Nest cameras to provide real-time insights.

What Can Gemini Do?

Gemini models can perform a wide range of tasks, from transcribing speech to generating images and analyzing code. While Google has ambitious plans for Gemini, some early demos of its capabilities have been met with skepticism, especially after the rocky launch of Bard. However, if the company’s latest claims hold true, Gemini could become one of the most powerful AI models available.

Gemini Ultra and Pro

The Gemini Ultra model is designed for complex tasks, such as solving physics problems and analyzing scientific papers. It can also generate images, although that feature hasn’t been fully rolled out yet.

Gemini Pro, currently in version 1.5, is available through Google’s Vertex AI platform for developers. It can handle up to 1.4 million words, two hours of video, or 22 hours of audio. It’s especially useful for code generation and customization, and developers can fine-tune it for specific use cases.

Gemini Flash

For less demanding tasks, there’s Gemini Flash, a lighter version of Gemini Pro. It’s designed for simpler, high-frequency tasks, and is available to users who don’t subscribe to Gemini Advanced.

Conclusion

Google Gemini is positioning itself as a major player in the generative AI space, offering a variety of tools and services that cater to both everyday users and advanced developers. With its multimodal capabilities, Gemini is designed to handle everything from writing emails to analyzing code and generating images. While there are still some kinks to work out, the future of Gemini looks promising as Google continues to roll out new features and improvements.