Google’s ascent to dominance largely stemmed from offering free services supported by advertisements. However, it has increasingly ventured into a new business model: selling subscriptions for enhanced features. Its initial subscription service, introduced in 2006, provided additional photo storage for users who wished to avoid deleting content. Over time, Google expanded its subscription offerings to include extra storage for emails and documents, storage for Nest security camera recordings, and ad-free YouTube viewing. Now, the company has introduced a significant addition to its subscription lineup—a smarter AI chatbot and more advanced productivity tools, available for an extra fee.

What is Google Gemini Advanced, Google’s most sophisticated chatbot to date, was launched today as part of a subscription tier within the Google One plan, dubbed AI Premium. Priced at $19.99 per month, AI Premium includes access to Gemini Advanced along with existing Google One benefits such as 2 terabytes of additional storage, a VPN, and other perks.

While AI Premium is similarly priced to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus at $20 per month, it encompasses additional Google One features that would otherwise cost $9.99 per month. Current subscribers on higher-priced Google One tiers will receive access to Gemini Advanced features at no extra cost until July 31, though the plan beyond that date remains unclear.

Google has indicated that Gemini is pivotal to its vision of an AI-driven future. If AI Premium garners a significant user base, Google could see a substantial boost in subscription revenue as consumers pay for access to more advanced AI tools, akin to gamers investing in powerful hardware.

Encouraging consumers to invest in AI could be crucial for Google, especially as the costs of powerful chips required for cutting-edge AI projects continue to rise. Shimrit Ben-Yair, vice president and general manager for Google One, acknowledges that the subscription model helps offset the expenses associated with the computing power behind Gemini. Furthermore, she suggests that launching AI features behind paywalls will become a regular occurrence, hinting at more generative AI features coming to market through Google One.

Last week, Google announced that Google One had surpassed 100 million subscribers. Ben-Yair emphasizes that AI Premium is central to Google’s strategy for acquiring its next 100 million subscribers.

A Overview of Introducing Gemini Advanced

Similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus subscription, Google has launched Gemini Advanced, a premium plan offering access to the powerful Ultra 1.0 model. Priced at $19.99 per month (Rs. 1950 in India), users can enjoy a two-month free trial.

Gemini Advanced not only provides access to the Ultra 1.0 model but also includes 2TB of Drive storage and additional benefits bundled with Google One. Furthermore, users can anticipate AI integration in Gmail, Docs, and other applications in the near future.

The standout feature of the Gemini Advanced plan is its utilization of the Ultra model, which boasts multimodal capabilities surpassing even GPT-4 in image analysis and various tasks. For tasks demanding high complexity, such as logical reasoning and coding, Gemini Ultra is the preferred choice.

Initial testing reveals impressive performance from the Ultra 1.0 model in Gemini Advanced, surpassing the free version of Gemini (formerly Bard) and approaching the capabilities of GPT-4. Detailed comparisons between Gemini Ultra 1.0 and GPT-4 are forthcoming, so stay tuned for updates.

Evolution of Google Gemini Shaping the Future of AI

In December, Google introduced its groundbreaking AI model, Gemini, hailed as the most advanced generative AI model and LLM (Large Language Model) in the industry.

Gemini sets itself apart by being multimodal, capable of seamlessly understanding and combining various forms of information, including text, code, audio, image, and video.

Google offers three variations of Gemini: Nano, Pro, and Ultra. The Ultra variant, in particular, demonstrates remarkable capabilities, capable of surpassing human experts in tasks involving massive multitask language understanding (MMLU) across diverse subjects like physics, math, law, and history.

The future trajectory of Google’s AI strategy revolves around Gemini. The company is committed to refining and enhancing this technology, aiming to introduce even more advanced iterations in the future.

Google’s CEO emphasized, “These latest updates reflect how we’re boldly approaching innovation and deploying this technology responsibly. We’re already in the process of training the next iteration of our Gemini models.”

Unified AI Solution for Google Workspace and Google Cloud

Google isn’t just rebranding Bard—it’s also integrating its Duet AI functionalities into the Gemini brand.

Launched in 2023, Duet AI has been assisting users with tasks like drafting emails, organizing spreadsheets, and enhancing productivity within Google Workspace.

Now, Duet AI will be rebranded as Gemini for Workspace, encompassing products like Gmail and Docs. Users subscribed to the Google One AI Premium plan will have access to Gemini across various Workspace tools, including Gmail, Docs, Meet, Slides, and Sheets.

Additionally, for Google Cloud customers, Duet AI will transition into Gemini in the coming weeks.

Google’s CEO highlights Gemini’s potential to elevate productivity, accelerate coding for developers, and enhance cybersecurity measures for organizations utilizing Google Cloud services.

Gemini Goes Mobile On-the-Go Productivity

With Gemini now available on mobile phones, users can conveniently utilize its features through typing, voice commands, or by uploading images while on the move.

According to Google’s Hsiao, this mobile integration opens up various possibilities. Users can snap a picture of a flat tire for assistance, create customized images for invitations, or seek help composing complex text messages. It marks a significant step towards developing a fully functional AI assistant that is conversational, multimodal, and genuinely helpful.

For iOS users, Gemini will soon be accessible through the Google app. By toggling the Gemini feature, users can engage with the AI assistant to enhance creativity, create custom images, craft social media posts, and even plan date nights directly within the Google app.

Assessing the Safety of Gemini Addressing Concerns in AI Development

Google has placed significant emphasis on ensuring the safety and integrity of its products, including Gemini. However, despite rigorous testing and precautionary measures, it’s challenging to anticipate all potential uses and misuses of technology once it’s released into the wild.

Recent incidents involving other tech companies, such as Meta and Microsoft, underscore the unpredictable nature of technology usage. Instances like the creation of inappropriate imagery using image-making apps highlight the need for robust safeguards.

In response to these challenges, the AI Act mandates certain safeguards for powerful AI models like Gemini. These include requirements for watermarking generated images and measures to prevent the reproduction of copyrighted material. Google has already taken steps to comply with these regulations, with all images generated by its products featuring SynthID watermarks.

Despite facing competition from rivals like Microsoft’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini represents a strong comeback, offering a polished and sophisticated package of cutting-edge technology. While no system is immune to misuse, Google is committed to ongoing efforts to enhance the safety and reliability of Gemini and other AI products.

Exploring the Versatility of Gemini What Can You Do with It?

Google’s Gemini products have been developed in collaboration with over 100 testers and power users, aiming to cater to a wide range of needs and scenarios. During the recent press conference, Google executives highlighted several use cases to showcase the capabilities of Gemini.

For instance, Gemini can assist in crafting a professional cover letter for job applications, enhancing one’s presentation to recruiters, as noted by Google’s vice president for product management, Kristina Behr.

Another example involves utilizing Gemini’s capabilities to tackle practical challenges, such as seeking guidance on fixing a flat tire by simply taking a picture and asking for assistance. In a more complex scenario, Gemini can streamline tasks like managing a snack rota for parents of kids on a soccer team, generating schedules, facilitating communication with other parents, and handling responses.

Moreover, future iterations of Gemini are expected to leverage data from Google Drive, enabling features like managing carpooling arrangements around game schedules.

While these are just a few showcased applications, Google anticipates users to discover a myriad of additional uses for Gemini. As Hsiao, from Google, expresses, the company is eager to witness how individuals worldwide will innovate and push the boundaries of this AI technology.

Gemini Ultra is Google’s Response to Microsoft Copilot

Introduced in late 2023, Gemini Ultra represents Google’s multifaceted solution for tasks ranging from coding to creative collaboration and reasoning. Google asserts that it surpasses GPT-4 in 30 out of 32 benchmarks and achieves parity with human experts on the MMLU benchmark—a claim that awaits independent confirmation due to limited availability.

However, Microsoft has already refuted some of the benchmark results as somewhat exaggerated. Alongside Bard, Google’s workspace feature, formerly known as “Duet AI,” will also be rebranded as Gemini. With Gemini Advanced, Google aims to narrow Microsoft’s lead in the professional AI user demographic. Microsoft, meanwhile, continues to bolster its Copilot platform and integrate it with the Office suite through regular updates.

The Complete Guide Google Gemini Advanced

To access Gemini, Google’s powerful AI model, there are several options available:

1. Gemini Pro: Google’s middle-tier model, accessible for free via the web at gemini.google.com (formerly bard.google.com). Additionally, a mobile app is now available for both Android and iOS users.
   • For Android users: Download the Gemini app or opt-in for an upgrade through Google Assistant.
   • For iOS users: Download the Google app, which now includes Gemini. This allows you to summon Gemini using Google Assistant functionalities such as pressing the power button, swiping from the corner of the screen, or using the voice command “Hey, Google!”
2. Gemini Advanced: Google’s premium service bundled in a subscription costing $19.99 per month, known as the Google One Premium AI Plan. This plan includes perks from the existing Google One Premium Plan, such as 2TB of extra storage, along with access to Google’s most powerful model, Gemini Ultra, for the first time. This offering competes with OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus, which provides access to GPT-4 for $20 per month.

In the near future, the Gemini Advanced subscription will also unlock Gemini across Google’s Workspace apps like Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Here, it functions as a smart assistant similar to Microsoft’s GPT-4-powered Copilot, currently being trialed in Office 365.