what is gemini

What Is Gemini ( Formerly Bard) AI? And How Does It Work?

Gemini AI, previously known as Bard, is Google’s advanced AI system, designed to interact and provide responses with a deep understanding of human language and context. It employs sophisticated machine learning techniques to process and generate text, offering insights and answers across various domains. Gemini AI stands out for its ability to handle complex queries, offering nuanced and context-aware responses, making it a significant development in AI for enthusiasts and professionals alike. This system not only enhances user interaction but also paves the way for innovative applications in AI.

How Does Gemini Work?


Gemini works using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology, similar to other large language models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Here’s a simplified explanation :

  1. Training on Large Amounts of Data: Gemini is trained on a vast amount of text data from the internet. This includes books, websites, articles, and other forms of written content. By analyzing this data, Gemini learns how to understand and generate human-like text.
  2. Understanding Language Patterns: During training, Gemini learns to recognize patterns in language. It understands grammar, vocabulary, and the way sentences are structured. This helps it to comprehend user queries and respond in a way that makes sense.
  3. Generating Responses: When you ask Gemini a question or give it a prompt, it uses its training to generate a response. Gemini predicts what words and sentences are most appropriate to use based on the input it receives. It tries to make the response relevant, accurate, and coherent.
  4. Machine Learning Algorithms: Gemini uses machine learning algorithms, particularly those based on the Transformer architecture, which are very good at handling natural language processing tasks. These algorithms allow Gemini to handle a wide range of language-related tasks, from answering questions to creating content.
  5. Continual Learning and Updating: Google likely updates Gemini’s model periodically with new data and improvements. This means Gemini can get better over time, learning from new information and user interactions.
  6. Cloud Computing: Gemini operates on Google’s cloud computing infrastructure. This means it can process large amounts of data quickly and handle multiple requests at the same time, providing fast responses to users.

Why google renamed Bard to Gemini?

Google renamed Bard to Gemini on February 8, 2024. There are two main reasons for the name change:

  1. Aligning with their AI approach: “Bard” evoked a specific persona, like a poet or storyteller. “Gemini” signifies a broader concept. It represents the two-sided nature of Google’s AI models:
  • The powerful language model technology underlying the system.
  • The diverse interfaces and applications users interact with, like chatbots or voice assistants.
  1. Streamlining their AI branding: Google integrates its AI models, like Gemini, into various services. “Bard” might have caused confusion as users interacted with Gemini through different applications. “Gemini” unifies branding for a clearer user experience.

How To Access Gemini?

Here’s how to access Gemini:

On Android:

  1. Download the Gemini App: Head over to the Google Play Store and search for “Gemini” to download the official app.
  2. Opt-in through Google Assistant: You can also access Gemini through your existing Google Assistant. Simply activate Assistant and ask to switch to Gemini.

On iOS:

  1. Gemini via Google App: While a dedicated Gemini app isn’t available for iOS yet, you can access it through the Google app. Look for the Gemini toggle within the app and enable it to chat with Gemini.

Using Voice Commands:

Once you’ve opted in, you can use voice commands to interact with Gemini. On Android, use “Hey Google” (if enabled) or the usual methods to trigger Assistant.

Is Gemini free to use?

Google offers Gemini AI in two versions. The basic version is available for free and is integrated into the Bard chatbot, offering enhanced features for understanding, summarizing, planning, and coding. This free version is accessible in several countries and territories without any cost. It’s designed for users looking to explore AI capabilities for everyday tasks like drafting emails, summarizing content, and basic image processing.

On the other hand, Gemini Advanced is a subscription-based service that requires the Google One AI Premium Plan, costing $19.99 per month in the US. This advanced version utilizes Gemini Ultra and offers more sophisticated AI capabilities, including enhanced AI features for collaboration and creation across Google Workspace apps and advanced coding support with complex scenario handling. 

What Gemini can Do?

You can do these things with gemini:

Customer Support

Gemini streamlines customer service operations, swiftly responding to inquiries and resolving issues, enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Virtual Assistance

As an adept virtual assistant, Gemini orchestrates daily tasks, schedule management, and timely alerts, bolstering productivity and time management.

Educational Support 

In the educational realm, Gemini provides succinct explanations, tailored tutoring, and adaptive learning strategies to foster comprehension and engagement.

Content Creation 

Gemini assists in the production of innovative and compelling content for a variety of platforms, stimulating creativity and connecting with target audiences.

Language Translation

With its precise translation capabilities, Gemini facilitates effective cross-cultural communication, ensuring clarity and contextual accuracy.

Programming Assistance

Gemini offers invaluable support in programming, from debugging to code optimization and conceptual explanations, catering to developers at all skill levels.

Interactive Entertainment

Leveraging Gemini in interactive entertainment delivers personalized gaming experiences, dynamic storytelling, and enriched media engagement.

Market Research

Gemini contributes to market research by synthesizing trends, aggregating data, and delivering actionable insights, driving informed strategic decisions.

Business Automation

By automating routine business tasks, Gemini enhances operational efficiency, minimizes errors, and optimizes workflows, contributing to organizational productivity.

Accessibility Support

Enhancing technological accessibility, Gemini provides solutions like voice-to-text and adaptive interfaces, making technology more inclusive and user-friendly.

What are Gemini’s limitations?

Here are some limitations of Gemini:

Training Data

Gemini’s performance and accuracy depend heavily on the data it was trained on. If the data is limited or flawed, Gemini might not understand or respond to certain queries effectively.

Bias and Potential Harm 

Despite advancements, Gemini can still reflect biases present in its training data, leading to outputs that might be biased or harmful, which necessitates careful monitoring and management.

Originality and Creativity 

While Gemini can generate content that seems original, its creations are based on patterns it has learned from existing data, which might limit its ability to produce truly novel or groundbreaking ideas.

What are the concerns about Gemini?

Here are some concerns about Gemini AI:

Data Privacy and Security 

With Gemini’s access to vast amounts of data, there are concerns about how this data is stored, processed, and protected. Ensuring user privacy and securing data against breaches is paramount.

Dependence and Overreliance 

There’s a risk that users might become overly dependent on Gemini for tasks, potentially stifling human creativity and problem-solving skills.

Job Displacement

As Gemini and similar AI tools become more adept at various tasks, there’s concern about the potential displacement of human workers, especially in roles that are easily automated.

Ethical Use

There are questions about the ethical implications of AI decisions, especially in sensitive areas like healthcare or justice, where Gemini’s recommendations could have significant impacts on individuals lives.

Transparency and Explainability

Understanding how Gemini arrives at certain conclusions or decisions is crucial, especially in high-stakes scenarios. There’s a need for transparency in AI processes to build trust and ensure accountability.

Is image generation available in Gemini?

Gemini, has the capability to generate images. This feature allows users to create visual content by providing text prompts. Google has implemented the Imagen 2 model within Bard to facilitate the generation of high-quality, photorealistic images. However, it’s important to note that Google temporarily paused the image generation feature for human likenesses to address and refine its accuracy, particularly in the context of historical figures. The company is committed to relaunching this feature with improvements to ensure more accurate and responsible outputs.

Here is an example:

Alternatives To Gemini

There are several alternatives to Gemini, Google’s AI model, particularly when looking at the broader AI landscape, which includes other large language models and AI platforms:

OpenAI’s ChatGPT-3 and ChatGPT-4 

These models from OpenAI are widely recognized for their capabilities in natural language understanding and generation. ChatGPT-3 was a groundbreaking model upon its release, and ChatGPT-4 has further advanced these capabilities.

Anthropic’s Claude 

Anthropic, an AI safety and research company, has developed Claude, an AI model that emphasizes safety and alignment with human intent, offering another option for those seeking AI-powered language understanding and generation.

Meta’s LLaMA 

Meta’s LLaMA (Language Model for Many Applications) is a versatile and scalable language model that can be fine-tuned for a variety of applications, presenting a solid alternative for developers and researchers.

Microsoft’s Turing-NLG

This is Microsoft’s large language model that competes with Google’s and OpenAI’s offerings, demonstrating robust capabilities in natural language processing tasks.

AI21 Labs’ Jurassic-1

AI21 Labs offers another alternative with its Jurassic-1 language model, which is designed to understand and generate human-like text, providing a competitive option for various NLP tasks.

Scroll to Top