Google released a new app and subscription service and renamed Bard AI as Gemini

The Gemini logo of Google by Google

Google's AI chatbot and assistant, Bard, underwent a significant makeover on Thursday, complete with a new app and subscription choices. Now known as Gemini, the chatbot's AI model suite shares the same name as Bard, the main rival of OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Additionally, Google revealed new methods for users to utilize the AI tool: As of this Thursday, iPhone users can utilize Gemini within the Google app on iOS, and Android users can download a new dedicated app for Gemini.

The company's dedication to exploring and making significant investments in artificial intelligence (AI) assistants, or agents a phrase that is frequently used to describe tools ranging from chatbots to coding helpers and other productivity tools is highlighted by Google's rebranding and app offerings.

During the company's earnings call on January 30, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized the firm's commitment to artificial intelligence. Pichai stated that, although there is "a lot of execution ahead," he eventually hopes to provide an AI agent that can carry out an increasing number of actions on a user's behalf, including within Google Search. Similarly, CEOs of major IT companies like Microsoft and Amazon emphasized their dedication to developing AI agents as tools for productivity.

Sissie Hsiao, a vice president at Google and general manager for Google Assistant and Bard, informed reporters on a teleconference on Wednesday that the company's modifications to Gemini are the first step in "building a true AI assistant."

Google also unveiled a new AI subscription plan on Thursday for hardcore users who wish to have access to the company's most potent AI model, Gemini Ultra 1.0. Through Google One, the company's premium storage service, access is available for $19.99 per month. That cost covers any storage options that current Google One members may already be paying for. A complimentary two-month trial is also offered.

Users in more than 150 countries and territories can access Thursday's rollouts, however, they are currently only available in English. Google intends to add other languages shortly, including Korean and Japanese.

Duet AI, which was Google's previous moniker for the "packaged AI agents" in Google Workspace and Google Cloud and which are intended to increase productivity and finish basic tasks for client firms like Wayfair, GE, Spotify, and Pfizer, is also impacted by the Bard rebranding. Gemini for Workspace and Gemini for Google Cloud will be the new names for the tools.

Executives informed reporters on Wednesday that Gemini's assistant features in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet will also be available to Google One members who pay for the AI subscription. Google wants to leverage user material from Gmail, Docs, and Drive to add more context to Gemini. Suggested responses, for instance, would eventually consider the context of previous messages in the thread as well as perhaps pertinent files on Google Drive, if you were replying to an extended email thread.

What is the rationale behind the wide name change? Reporters were informed by Google's Hsiao on Wednesday that the goal is to make users aware that they are dealing with the chatbot's AI models directly.

Gemini is our cutting-edge model, and Bard is the means to talk to them,” Hsiao stated.

In the future, AI agents might arrange a get-together by looking through everyone's calendars to make sure there are no conflicts, plan trips and events, purchase gifts for family members, or carry out a particular task like outbound sales. But as of right now, the capabilities of the tools including Gemini mostly restricted to composing code, creating to-do lists, and summarizing.

Android users can access Gemini by opening the Google Play store and downloading the new Gemini app, or by opening Google Assistant and choosing to use Gemini instead of Google Assistant.

Speaking about Google Assistant and Search, Pichai stated, "We will again use generative AI there, particularly with our most advanced models and Bard," on the Jan. 30 earnings call. "If I were to think about the future and maybe go beyond answers and follow-through for users even more, that allows us to act more like an agent over time."

Google and Microsoft already have generative AI bots that they attach to their productivity suits to compete in the enterprise arena. The consumer edition creates an additional arena for the AI industry's titans to compete in.