2024’s Made by Google event has taken place and Google has introduced a significant upgrade to its AI assistant with the launch of Gemini Live, a voice chat model designed to offer a more natural and interactive user experience. The addition was announced at its Pixel 9 event recently. This new feature, currently available to Gemini Advanced subscribers on Android phones, allows users to engage in free-flowing conversations with the AI, similar to chatting with a person.
Unlike traditional text-based interactions, this will focus on users speaking naturally to the assistant – or “free-flowing” as put by Google themselves. Meaning you can interrupt the AI mid-sentence, and even pause the conversation to resume later. The AI is capable of adapting to these conversational nuances, providing a more engaging experience. To enhance the user experience, Google has also introduced ten new voice options for Gemini, offering greater personalization. The feature has already started rolling out for Android devices.
Gemini is an AI assistant that goes beyond chit-chat
Beyond Gemini Live, Google has expanded the capabilities of its AI assistant by introducing new extensions for popular apps like Tasks, Utilities, and YouTube Music. Additionally, the AI now possesses the ability to understand the context of a user’s screen, similar to recent advancements from Apple. This means Gemini can provide relevant information based on what is displayed on the device.
As mentioned above, this technology is available on Android phones (you can take a closer look at device requirements here). So, this obviously includes the new Google Pixel 9 lineup or any older devices that feature at least 2GB of RAM and run on Android 10 and up. Gemini is available as a mobile app or may be integrated as your mobile assistant.
Significant leap forward
This development marks a significant step forward in AI technology, bringing it closer to human-like interaction. By combining voice-based communication with advanced contextual understanding, Gemini Live has the potential to revolutionize the way users interact with their devices. The ability to engage in natural, uninterrupted conversations with an AI assistant opens up new possibilities.
On the other hand, the rapid pace of AI development has also ignited concerns among some. Critics argue that the technology is advancing too quickly without sufficient consideration of potential ethical implications and risks. Questions about data privacy, job displacement, and the potential for misuse of AI are at the forefront of these discussions. It is essential for tech giants like Google to strike a balance between innovation and responsible development, ensuring that AI benefits society while mitigating the drawbacks.
