Google's AI chatbot gets a rebrand

?? Welcome back to Tech Stack ?? ?? A year since Google rolled out Bard, the company is rebranding its AI chatbot to Gemini – named after its “most capable” large language model to date that was released late last year. The move is intended to reflect the advanced tech that powers the chatbot at its core, and the fact that Gemini has evolved from a model to something that is driving a whole host of products in Google’s ecosystem. Google is also starting to monetize the chatbot with a new subscription version called Gemini Advanced, which is powered by the most advanced tier of its AI model called Ultra 1.0. See more details and our interview with Google's VP and general manager of Gemini experiences (formerly Bard) and Google Assistant, Sissie H. below. Plus: ?? Catch up on all the AI news you may have missed, including Hugging Face releasing its own version of OpenAI’s GPT Store; ? See other tech news highlights from the week, like Apple's plan to develop a foldable iPhone, in what is being termed as "one of the biggest hardware design changes" in the company's history; ???? And track who's making moves, like Elizabeth Kelly being named the director of the newly established U.S. AI Safety Institute at the Commerce Department's National Institute for Standards and Technology. ?? What do you think of Bard getting a new name? And how have you used the AI chatbot? Share your thoughts in the comments – and click subscribe to be notified of future editions of Tech Stack. ? Tanya Dua

Google is giving its AI a new name. The company today announced that its ChatGPT-like AI assistant, previously called Bard, is now called "Gemini.” Additionally, Google has launched its most capable AI model, Ultra 1.0, for the first time as part of "Gemini Advanced," a $20/month subscription feature. Google's naming scheme and how to access the new model could be clearer. To tease out the nomenclature, think of an AI app like Google Bard as a car brand that can swap out different engines under the hood. It's an AI assistant—an application of an AI model with a convenient interface—that can use different AI "engines" to work. For instance, when Bard launched, it used the large language model LaMDA. The most recent name change reflects the underlying AI language model Google launched in December. That said, untangling which “engine” you get for which tier you’re subscribed to—the free version, the paid version of Gemini, or the lux Gemini Advanced—requires a closer reading of the company’s product page. Beyond the tiers now offered, Google is integrating its AI into its various tools, like Google Workspace and mobile apps, in different capacities and at different price points. Read more on the latest below via Ars Technica: https://trib.al/HOKvJUc

It’s a big Google news day, friends. Let’s jump in. Google's not leading the AI pack yet, but Gemini Advanced is a clear signal they're getting serious. For months, I've been wracking my brain wondering why Google isn't leveraging their advantage—a literal treasure trove of personal data (systematically harvested ??) from their users over decades of use through Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Drive, and Search. Now, they're finally tapping in. It's not about the little improvements. What grabs attention and shifts user loyalty are those big leaps or unique features that no one else offers or can offer. ChatGPT can draft a travel itinerary based off a prompt you give; Gemini Advanced can draft you one based off your recent emails, location you're heading, the documents in your Google Drive, and available flights using Gmail/Maps/Drive. MY ADVICE: ?? If you're a big Google user heavily invested in G-Suite ecosystem and haven't yet become addicted to ChatGPT or Claude, Gemini Advanced might be worth your time. ?? For businesses, it's not enterprise-ready yet. Stick with Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT for Enterprise. I'll keep you posted if that changes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ready your business and career for the AI age. To learn how to become an AI-enhanced human, sign up for my free email course here ?? https://lnkd.in/gwyTiWfH

Do you love AI? Heavy ChatGPT user? Now you just have a new toy- Google’s Bard becomes Gemini!! Check this out: Yes, it’s a rebrand But- it also launches new offerings like a new android app or the Google app on iOS It’s gr was to see innovation in action. Congrats to all Googlers working on this and our friends there Wieland Holfelder ????? ,Michiel Bakker , Behshad Behzadi , Noa Havazelet Brigitte Hoyer Gosselink and many more https://lnkd.in/dgyKdg3C

Google is rolling out Gemini today, its next generation family of models, across most of its products in the largest mass-market AI launch to date. Want to see what all the fuss is about? Will Douglas Heaven has all the details on how to take it for a spin.

?? One of the best parts about working in the AI space is it feels like Christmas comes on an almost monthly basis!?? Google has just (in the last few minutes) released their new model, Gemini Ultra, and renamed Google Bard, to Gemini, where you can access it. Why does this matter? For the first time in almost a year, there is an AI model that comes close to the paid model running on ChatGPT. If you haven't tried either of these, I would definitely recommend it, as the differences are staggering. Reasoning, problem solving, coding, writing, or even recipes! You can try it out here: https://gemini.google.com/ but you do have to subscribe (there's a free trial) to test it. I'll be testing this over the next week or so, and write up my thoughts in more detail, in the meantime you can check out this video, and give the tool a try. If you do give it a test, would love to know what you think! Now, does OpenAI try to overshadow this release with whatever they are cooking up? It could be an interesting month ??♂?

Have you seen this new AI update? Bard no longer exists. Technically, the features are still there but the name "Bard" has been replaced by "Gemini". Here are all the several reasons why Bard became Gemini: 1. Branding Consistency: Bard and Gemini were both names for Google's AI models, which could be confusing. Unifying them under the "Gemini" name streamlines branding and clarifies what users interact with. 2. Access to the Best AI Models: "Gemini" refers to Google's most advanced family of AI models, and by renaming Bard to Gemini, Google aimed to emphasize that everyone using Bard now has access to these top-tier capabilities. 3. User Interface Improvements: The change to Gemini also coincided with a UI update designed to reduce distractions, improve readability, and simplify navigation. 4. Paid Subscription Tier: Google introduced "Gemini Advanced," a paid subscription plan offering access to their most powerful AI model, "Ultra 1.0." The rebranding to Gemini helped position Bard as the gateway to this premium service. 5. Future Integration: Google hinted plans to integrate Gemini across various Google products and services. The unified naming likely facilitates this broader vision. Overall, the transition from Bard to Gemini aimed to improve clarity, accessibility, and future-proof Google's AI offerings. While some users might miss the "Bard" name, the change represents Google's ongoing efforts to advance and democratize AI technology. What do you think? Do you miss the old name?

NEW: Google on Thursday announced a major rebrand of its Bard chatbot, including a fresh app and subscription options. Bard, a chief competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, is now called Gemini, the same name as the suite of AI models that power the chatbot. Google also announced new ways for consumers to use the AI tool: As of Thursday, Android users can download a new dedicated Android app for Gemini, and iPhone users can use Gemini within the Google app on iOS. Google’s rebrand and app offerings underline the company’s commitment to pursuing — and investing heavily in — AI assistants or agents, a term often used to describe tools ranging from chatbots to coding assistants and other productivity tools. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the firm's commitment to AI during the company's Jan. 30 earnings call. Pichai said he eventually wants to offer an AI agent that can complete more and more tasks on a user's behalf, including within Google Search, although he said there is "a lot of execution ahead." Likewise, chief executives at tech giants from Microsoft to Amazon underlined their commitment to building AI agents as productivity tools. Google's Gemini changes are a first step to "building a true AI assistant," Sissie Hsiao, a vice president at Google and general manager for Google Assistant and Bard, told reporters on a call Wednesday. (CNBC)

Is this rebrand a response to the damage to the 'Bard' brand after the messy initial rollout and the inability to recover from it even after introducing Gemini? I use both ChatGPT and Bard for a variety of tasks. Bard might have stood out as a wonder in a world without ChatGPT, but alas, we do have ChatGPT, which has proven superior for most tasks for me, and I gravitate towards it. I tend to use Bard for tasks that lean more towards searching the internet and synthesizing information, whereas I use ChatGPT for everything else, including all creative and exploratory tasks. Google has a unique problem - it has to compete for both AI superiority and cloud superiority. And over time, those two are becoming more and more intertwined. Do you use Bard / Gemini for work? Any suggestions?