Although I’m not exactly a big fan of AI assistants, Gemini is the one I use the most, and it just got the big upgrade that I’ve been hoping Google would add.
I use Gemini a fair bit, primarily because I’m a Pixel 10 user. But for certain tasks and queries, it’s a frustrating experience. However, that’s about to change with the new Personal Intelligence update, which Google is calling an “experimental, opt-in service that marks a fundamental shift” in AI.
The key element in this upgrade is context. We’re always told how brilliant AI is, and it can look incredibly powerful in a video during a keynote, but so often it’s just a glorified web search with the results presented in a different way.
Personal Intelligence sounds exactly like what I want from AI in order to be in order for it to be genuinely useful all the time, giving it a huge advantage over rival AI systems.
ChatGPT can do something similar by linking Gmail with its connector feature, but it’s more basic and some users are wary of handing over their private information to the service in exchange; whereas Gemini and Gmail are both Google services anyway.
I’m so many years deep into the Google and Android system that it feels jarring when Gemini appears to know nothing about me whatsoever. You can ask it to remember specific details, but its usefulness is fairly limited.
Google explains it as “connecting the dots”, which seems to be spot on. Rather than generic assistance, Gemini will be able to help me with queries and tasks with results that are tailored to me and my life.
For example, when asking for something along the lines of “San Francisco recommendations”, Gemini should give me some ideas to match my personal interests, such as a 49ers game and craft beer bars to seek out near the hotel I’m staying at (the dream!).
Another example Google gives is if you are shopping for winter car tyres. Gemini will supposedly be able to search for documents in Gmail to find the make and model of my vehicle, ensuring it can easily find the correct ones.
Understanding individual needs and preferences in these ways (and countless more) sounds brilliant and will certainly give me a big reason to use Gemini over AI rivals.
What’s the catch?
As with so many tech announcements like this, there is a catch. Well, several actually.
For starters, it’s rolling out in the US first (from today) with no information for the UK or other markets just yet – other than “We’ll soon expand to more countries.”
You’ll also need a Google AI Pro or AI Ultra subscription (at least £18.99/$19.99 per month) to get access. However, Google says it will be brought to the free tier “soon” and be available within the AI Mode tool in search.
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As mentioned earlier, you’ll need to opt in as Personal Intelligence will be off by default. Once switched on, it will work across the web, Android and iOS with all Gemini models.
Furthermore, it’s limited to personal Google accounts and will only be able to utilise data from Gmail, Photos, Search, and YouTube History to start with.
I’ll have to wait and see what it’s like when Google rolls Personal Intelligence outside of the US, but it certainly sounds like a promising and important upgrade to Gemini.
As you might be aware, Gemini’s influence will extend far beyond Android devices, following the news that it’ll be powering the upcoming Siri AI upgrade.