Google replaces Bard with Gemini, introducing advanced capabilities

WEB DESK: Google unveiled its rebranded chatbot, formerly known as Bard, now named Gemini, on Thursday. This strategic move is seen as a significant step in the ongoing AI competition between Google and Microsoft.

The renaming comes a year after Google rushed to launch its chatbot in response to Microsoft’s Bing chatbot, developed in collaboration with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.

Since their initial release, both chatbots have evolved beyond text responses to include image generation, utilizing data gathered from the vast expanse of the internet.

What sets Gemini apart is its newfound prominence, as it will be easily accessible through a dedicated link on the Google app for iPhones. This signals the integration of the AI chatbot into the core consumer experience, akin to the importance of the search function.

Accompanying the rebrand, Google introduced Gemini Ultra 1.0, its most potent generative AI model to date. This advanced chatbot will be available as a subscription service costing $20 per month in 150 countries, exclusively in English.

Meanwhile, the less powerful versions, Gemini and Gemini Advanced, will function as standalone apps on Android phones and integrate into the Google app on iPhones.

However, Google’s expansion into Europe faces regulatory hurdles, preventing the availability of these apps in the region for the time being.

This development follows Microsoft’s recent announcement of the rebranded Copilot app, formerly Bing chatbot, with plans to promote it through a Super Bowl ad, highlighting the intense competition between the tech giants.

Amid lingering doubts about the long-term applications of generative AI chatbots, both Google and Microsoft emphasize their products’ potential to enhance online creativity.

As the AI race continues, these advancements reflect the companies’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence in consumer experiences.