Google’s response to Microsoft’s ChatGPT and Copilot is now officially served in the form of Gemini. While last year, Microsoft took the lead with its offerings, Google’s AI platform, initially known as Bard, has undergone testing phases and is now officially released as Gemini.
Gemini, the generative AI platform, is now accessible in 40 languages on the web and has extended its availability to mobile platforms, including Android and iOS. The release comes as the internet landscape shifts towards a subscription-based model, moving away from the reliance on ads. In Kenya, Google introduces Gemini Advanced, bundled with a Google One Al Premium plan.
For Kenyan users, the initial offering price is zero for the first two months, providing a free trial period. Post the trial, Google will charge KES 3,700.00 per month for access to the premium Gemini Advanced option. This package includes the Al model Ultra 1.0 and offers 2 TB of storage as part of the Google One Subscription. Google envisions integrating Gemini into platforms like Gmail and Docs, mirroring the capabilities of Microsoft’s Copilot Assistant.
Ultra 1.0, touted as Google’s “most capable AI model,” is exclusive to Gemini Advanced. This model is designed to tackle highly complex tasks such as reasoning, following instructions, coding, and creative collaboration. According to Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, Ultra 1.0 is the first model to outperform human experts on Massive Multitask Language Understanding (MMLU), covering a broad spectrum of subjects like math, physics, history, law, medicine, and ethics. The integration of Gemini into various Google applications signals a significant step towards advancing AI capabilities in everyday tasks.
