What is Google Gemini (formerly Bard)? Everything you need to know

Google Gemini is one of the more well-known competitors AI chatbots, how ChatGPT and Bing Chat — and Google has worked hard to achieve this. In some functions, the chatbot manages to hold a candle to its competitors — or even surpass them.

What can Google Gemini (formerly Bard) do?

Like ChatGPT, Gemini is a chatbot that can conduct human-like dialogues and create its own, original texts. The former name Bard It owes it to the English word for “poet” or “bard.” Gemini is also based on its own language model. It can answer questions asked and draw on an extensive database. From cooking recipes to demanding programming tasks, there are no restrictions for now. In its essence, Google Gemini is therefore to be understood as an informative search engine that is able to discuss questions in detail and save users the hassle of researching references. In addition, it is planned that Bard will also be able to generate images and videos in the future.

How does Google Gemini (formerly Bard) work?

The original goal of Google Gemini

The original goal of introducing Google's chatbot was to supplement the knowledge graph cards that appear for simple questions. While Knowledge Graph cards can provide definitions of terms, overviews of people, or places, the answers from Bard (now Gemini) were intended for what Google calls NORA questions: questions without a correct answer. The previous launch of the comparable chatbot ChatGPT was certainly not entirely incidental to the introduction of Google Bard (now Gemini).

How Gemini works

Thanks to an LLM, Google Gemini is able to capture both questions and their context. In this way, Gemini is able to analyze extensive text data sets and precisely predict which word comes next. Since the Gemini model is based on data sets with dialogs, it is also able to understand nuances and colloquial language (keyword: sentiment analysis), which often cause difficulties for search engines. Gemini then draws on information from the Internet to construct an answer, which is then converted into the form of a conversational response as you would expect from a human interlocutor. The overall goal of Bard and all AI chatbots is to provide high-quality answers.

The Gemini update from Google Bard (in Gemini) in December 2023

To make Google Gemini even more competitive — especially with regard to competitor ChatGPT — Google presented its latest model in December 2023: “Google Gemini.”

The special thing about the multimodal AI model is its architecture: While some other AIs, such as ChatGPT, consist of many different models that ensure that texts, images, audios and code can be processed, Google Bard is holistically multimodal and consists of just a single system. With such a model, Google Bard can set itself apart from competing AIs such as ChatGPT - but it is not a unique selling point on the market, as there are already other companies with holistically multimodal models.

Get all the details about the Gemini model in our article”Google Gemini: An overview of the new Google AI”.

The change of name from Bard to Gemini (February 2024)

It can be confusing at first that the chatbot was called Bard some time ago, the language model LamDA — and now the chatbot as well as the language model Gemini are called. So here is all the information at a glance:

• The chatbot was formerly called Bard but was renamed Gemini.
• The language model behind the chatbot was formerly called LamDa for Bard, but was also renamed Gemini.
• The original Gemini model (which is not yet publicly available) was released in Gemini 2 renamed.

The renaming was done to reduce confusion between the name of the chatbot and the name of the underlying language model. Gemini is now the uniform name for both the chatbot and the voice model.

It should be noted that:

• Gemini is still under development and is not yet available to the general public. There is currently a trial version available for some users.
• The chatbot that can currently be used is an experimental version of Gemini.
• If you want to learn more about the Gemini model and not the chatbot, then this article is the right choice: Google Gemini: An overview of Google's LLM

Does Google Gemini already exist in Germany?

Yes, Google Gemini is available in Germany.

In addition to Great Britain and the USA, the original version of Google Gemini is available in numerous countries worldwide, including the European Union, including Germany. In addition, the chatbot Now more than 40 different languages, including German. As a result, the use of the service is now possible throughout the DACH region, but is currently still limited: The already mentioned update called “Google Gemini” is not yet available in Europe.

Google Gemini vs. ChatGPT: What are the differences?

Even though ChatGPT and Google Gemini appear very similar at first glance, there are still differences:

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Both chatbots generally work on the basis of natural language processing, where users make inquiries and the chatbots generate human-like answers. The main differences between Google Bard and ChatGPT lie in the sources from which they obtain information, as well as in their capabilities and areas of application.

1. Google and OpenAI (ChatGPT) solutions are based on different language models. ChatGPT works with GPT-3, a model based on millions of sources across the web, such as articles or forum posts. This information is used to generate answers to users' inquiries. Whereas Google uses its own “Language Model for Dialogue Applications” (LaMDA), which allows it to collect and process data in real time.
2. Google Gemini always retrieves the latest information from the Internet and is therefore always up to date. In contrast, ChatGPT's data sources end with information from 2022 and are limited to older information.
3. There are also differences in the quality of answers: Gemini often provides more readable answers, while ChatGPT provides smarter and more fluid answers for tasks such as writing poetry and creating content.

When asked what the AI chatbot can do better than ChatGPT, Google Gemini has a concrete answer and is not afraid to describe itself as a more powerful language model:

How can I use Google Gemini in Germany?

• Go to the URL gemini.google.com upon
• The “Try Gemini” button appears and Google Gemini can now be tested
• You need to log into your Google account to use Google Gemini
• The operation is similar to ChatGPT — after entering, the so-called “prompt”, you will receive human-like answers based on your request

How does logging in to Google Gemini work?

To sign in to Google Gemini, simply follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Gemini website in your browser (gemini.google.com).
2. Click on the “Sign In” button at the bottom right.
3. Enter your email address or phone number that's associated with your Google account.
   

Is Google Gemini (formerly Bard) free?

As mentioned earlier, Google Gemini is free to use and all you need is a Google account that you can use to sign in.

So far, there are no plans for a paid version, such as the GPT4 variant of ChatGPT, known.

What should you not share with Google Gemini?

You should not share any personal or sensitive information with Google Gemini. The reason is that Google collects and stores personal data in order to KI to improve. In the worst case scenario, this data can be viewed by third parties.

Privacy policies are usually designed in such a way that companies only collect data that users actively provide. However, a new policy allows Google to use any information that people publicly post online.

To avoid this, you can go to the website https://myactivity.google.com/product/bard Go and switch the slider to “Off” under “Gemini Activities.” As a result, your future conversations are no longer saved and can no longer be viewed by human reviewers. It is also advisable if you use Google services to activate incognito or private browsing mode. This is because the storage of confidential data by Google cannot be completely ruled out only by deactivating the button. It is therefore advisable to be careful when entering sensitive information.

Conclusion: Google Gemini as a helpful additional research tool

It's important to stress that Google Gemini, like other chatbots, won't always necessarily provide the right answers. Based on this aspect and other considerations, the company highlights that Bard is not a replacement solution for a search engine, but rather an addition to search. It can be used to generate ideas, create designs or to deal with inquiries in a playful way. For this reason, it is always recommended that the information provided is correct. It should also always be kept in mind that entered data is not necessarily secure and should be used to further develop Google Bard.

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It should also be noted that chatbots such as Google Gemini and ChatGPT offer impressive capabilities, but are not suitable for use in customer communication are suitable for a company. Controlling the generated texts is difficult or impossible, and the answers can always vary, which is undesirable in customer communication. To illustrate this, we have ChatGPT's capabilities with those of moinAI compared: In contrast to chatbots such as Google Gemini and ChatGPT, moinAI offers the ideal combination of generative AI and control: moinAI's Kompanion generates texts, structures, image suggestions, etc., which can be checked manually in the next step. Finally, it is important that only messages that match the corporate identity (including wordings, communication rules, etc.) are played out.

Try moinAI now and experience the future of customer communication in a secure, efficient and user-friendly way. In just four easy steps, you can create a chatbot prototype and get a first impression of the technology — completely free of charge and without obligation.

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_{The information in this article is regularly updated to ensure accurate and truthful content.}

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