Google announced major changes Thursday for its chatbot and artificial intelligence assistant, which will be renamed from Bard to Gemini, and the company also announced a new program and subscription options, CNBC reported, citing News.ro.

Bard, the main competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot, is now called Gemini, as is the set of AI models that power the chatbot.

Google also announced new ways for consumers to access the AI ​​tool: Starting Thursday, Android users can download a new dedicated Android app for Gemini, and iPhone users can use Gemini in the Google app for iOS.

Google’s rebranding and app offerings underscore the company’s push to pursue and invest heavily in artificial intelligence assistants, or agents, a term often used to describe tools ranging from chatbots to coding assistants and other productivity tools.

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized the company’s commitment to artificial intelligence during the company’s January 30 earnings call.

Pichai said he eventually wants to offer an AI agent that can do more and more tasks on behalf of the user, including in Google Search, though he says there’s still a lot of work ahead.

Likewise, CEOs of tech giants from Microsoft to Amazon have emphasized their commitment to building AI agents as productivity tools.

Google’s Gemini changes are the first step toward “creating a true AI assistant,” Sissy Xiao, vice president and general manager of Google Assistant and Bard, said Wednesday.

Google also announced Thursday a new AI subscription option for users who want access to Gemini Ultra 1.0, Google’s most powerful AI model yet.

Access costs $19.99 a month through Google One, the company’s paid storage offering.

For existing Google One subscribers, the price includes storage plans they may already be paying for.

There is also a two-month free trial.

Thursday’s editions are available to users in over 150 countries and territories, but are currently only available in English.

Google plans to soon expand its language offerings to include Japanese and Korean, as well as other languages.

Bard’s rebranding also affects Duet AI, Google’s former name for “packaged AI agents” in Google Workspace and Google Cloud, which are designed to improve productivity and perform simple tasks for client companies including Wayfair, GE, Spotify and Pfizer.

The tools will now be called Gemini for Workspace and Gemini for Google Cloud.

Google One subscribers who pay for the AI ​​subscription will also have access to Gemini’s assistance capabilities in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides and Meet, executives said Wednesday.

Google hopes to incorporate more context into Gemini from user content in Gmail, Docs, and Drive. (News.ro)

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