Unpacking Gemini's story
Like the better-known ChatGPT tool from OpenAI, Gemini generates answers to questions entered in plain text, drawing on a massive database created by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and billions of pages of human text.
This isn't just a matter of Gemini dishing out what it's been spoon-fed as a traditional search engine does. Rather, Gemini learns from the inputs it receives, using them to craft meaningful, remarkably human-like responses.
The LLM generates text from the ground up based on a deep understanding of language patterns. Search engines simply find the published text you are looking for. So if you're wondering how Gemini compares to Google Search, it's a bit like comparing a novelist with a librarian -- both are incredibly useful, but they have different specialties.
If you're wondering why Google originally chose the name Bard, it's a nod to the poetic role of bards throughout history -- an apt title for a tool that spins the threads of language into engaging and informative narratives.
The Gemini name, on the other hand, points to the corporate structure behind the AI system. Google's most advanced LLM engine goes by the same name, so Bard's name change clarifies the fundamental technology. In turn, the Gemini AI engine was born from the internal merger of Google Brain and Deepmind. The "twin" AI divisions are now a single Deepmind unit, so it made sense to use the Latin word for "twin" to name the unified team's LLM engine.
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Is Gemini ready for action in 2024?
It should be said that chatbots can't serve as a drop-in replacement for standard web search and human ingenuity, at least not in early 2024. Bard's official unveiling showed several examples of outright incorrect results, sparking controversy in the tool's early days.
Gemini and ChatGPT are also known to "hallucinate" from time to time -- simply making up a reasonable-sounding result even if a simple answer is readily available. These issues will probably fade out as the Gemini and GPT AI engines improve, but in the meantime, it may be a bad idea to rely on these engines for reliable fact-finding.
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In the long run, we can look forward to using Google Gemini for a variety of tasks. Gemini's capabilities extend far beyond basic internet searches, from drafting emails and writing code to generating images and interpreting videos. The search engine integration makes this tool particularly handy and will remain a competitive advantage until other AI-powered chatbots figure out how a search feature can work with their platforms.
However, while Gemini's capabilities are impressive, it's unlikely to overshadow its cousin, Google Search. Both have a role in the digital realm. While Gemini offers an exciting glimpse into the future of AI interaction, for the time being, Google Search retains its crown as the go-to tool for internet information retrieval.
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