What is Google's Gemini AI tool (formerly Bard)? Everything you need to know

Gemini is Google's conversational AI chatbot, designed to work similarly to ChatGPT, with the main distinction being that Google's service gets its knowledge from the web. (ChatGPT data is restricted to 2021.) Like most AI chatbots, Gemini can code, solve math problems, and assist with writing tasks. Beginning in February, Gemini can also create photos. To use it, simply go to the Gemini website and sign in using your Google account. 

Bard was initially revealed on February 6 by Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. Google Bard was published over a month later, on March 21, 2023. Almost a year later, Bard was renamed Gemini. Google altered Google Bard to Gemini on February 8 in honor of Google's LLM, which drives the AI chatbot. "To reflect the advanced technology at its core, Bard will now simply be called Gemini," Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, stated in the statement. 

It had several significant faults When Google Bard was released about a year ago. Since then, it has developed tremendously, with two massive language model (LLM) upgrades and other revisions, and the new name might be a means to put the old reputation behind it. 

How Does Google's Chatbot, Gemini, Work?

Gemini has experienced multiple large language model (LLM) improvements since its inception. Gemini, then known as Bard, employed a lightweight version of LaMDA that required fewer computational resources and could be expanded to accommodate more users. LaMDA is based on Transformer, Google's neural network architecture, which the corporation designed and open-sourced in 2017. Interestingly, according to Google, GPT-3, the language model that ChatGPT uses, was also created on Transformer. 

Many customers were dissatisfied with the chatbot's performance, so Google swiftly pivoted and upgraded it to PaLM 2, which was introduced at Google I/O 2023. PaLM 2, a more sophisticated version of PaLM that was introduced in April 2022, enabled Gemini to be considerably more efficient and perform better than its predecessor. Then, in December 2023, Google improved Gemini again, this time to Gemini, the company's most sophisticated and powerful LLM yet. Yes, the AI chatbot and the underlying LLM share the same name. Gemini utilizes a refined version of Gemini Pro for English.

Google's choice to employ its LLMs (LaMDA, PaLM 2, and Gemini) was brave considering some of the most popular AI chatbots today, such as ChatGPT and Copilot, use a language model from the GPT series. 

How to Use Gemini:

To get started, users must be at least 18 years old and have a personal Google account or a Google Workspace account, as well as access to a compatible browser. If these prerequisites are completed, users may simply go to gemini.google.com and sign in using their Google account. For $19.99 a month, customers can subscribe to Gemini Advanced, which includes access to Gemini's Ultra 1.0 model, which is more powerful than its predecessor.

After logging in, customers may initiate a discussion with Gemini by entering a text field or utilizing the voice tool to express their wishes audibly. Users may make the most of each contact by changing prompts, starting new discussions, and exporting Gemini's replies to other Google applications.

Users should bear in mind that Gemini is currently a work in progress and may occasionally deliver erroneous or even objectionable information. Users should also avoid seeking professional advice from Google Gemini on sensitive themes, as well as discussing private and personal matters with the AI tool. However, Gemini can handle a wide range of instructions, queries, and coding conditions, driving creativity in a variety of Contexts. 

Benefits of Gemini:

CONTENT GENERATION:

Gemini allows us to automate content production for websites, social media accounts, and other online venues. This can help organizations and individuals save time and resources while still providing a continuous, high-quality information stream.

CREATIVE WRITING:

Gemini is intended to encourage creative writing such as poetry, short tales, and essays. This makes it an excellent tool for anyone facing writer's block, authors who wish to experiment with various writing styles or themes, and those trying to improve their writing processes. 

MARKETING AND ADVERTISING:

Gemini can help firms create original and interesting marketing and advertising text, such as taglines, slogans, marketing emails, and product descriptions. These strategies can assist organizations in attracting and retaining consumers by rapidly and efficiently establishing a strong brand identity. 

EDUCATION:

Gemini can be used in educational contexts to educate pupils in creative writing, literature, and language. Teachers may use Gemini to generate writing prompts, demonstrate various writing styles and frameworks, and offer comments on student writing. Additionally, we may employ Gemini as a virtual tutor or mentor to assist kids with specific STEM-related queries or issues. The model may offer explanations, examples, and feedback in real time. Gemini may also tailor its approach to each student's level of comprehension. 

Will Gemini eventually replace Google Search?

Gemini and other AI chatbots, like Bing Chat (aka Copilot) and ChatGPT, have the potential to replace search engines. These AI tools are trained on online material to deliver answers to users' questions, but rather than providing a list of URLs where the solution may or may not be located, these tools provide a textual response in a conversational style. The disadvantage is that the responses may not always be correct. Some individuals can employ AI chatbots instead of Google Search, especially since the extra capabilities of asking follow-up questions and creating text make it more useful for certain use cases than a search engine.