In a strategic move aimed at enhancing its chatbot capabilities and competing with Microsoft in the subscription market, Google announced on Thursday the rebranding of its Bard chatbot to Gemini, reflecting the new artificial intelligence driving it.
Under the Gemini Advanced subscription, available to U.S. customers for $19.99 per month, users gain access to the more robust Ultra 1.0 AI model, alongside two terabytes of cloud storage, a value typically priced at $9.99 monthly. Additionally, subscribers will soon enjoy Gemini integration within Gmail and Google's suite of productivity tools, forming the Google One AI Premium plan.
This initiative marks Google's significant response to Microsoft and OpenAI's offerings in the burgeoning paid AI subscription market. Notably, OpenAI's ChatGPT Plus and Microsoft's recently announced AI subscription for programs like Word and Excel both compete at a similar $20 monthly price point in the United States.
Jack Krawczyk, Product Lead at Google, emphasized the importance of seamless integration with everyday work tools like cloud storage and Gmail, aligning the subscription service with users' workflow.
Gemini aims to cater to individuals seeking highly capable generative AI technology, capable of producing new content and handling complex queries without readily available answers online.
Google intends to leverage its extensive base of Android phone users to bolster Gemini's adoption. Android users can easily opt into Gemini as their default digital assistant through various access points, offering a user-friendly pathway to AI interaction.
Gemini Advanced initially launches in English across 150 countries, with plans for a smartphone rollout starting in the U.S. before expanding internationally to regions like Asia-Pacific and Latin America, with added language support for Japanese and Korean. Users can enjoy a complimentary two-month subscription trial.
Explaining the rebranding from Bard to Gemini, Krawczyk highlighted Google's evolving AI strategy, marking a transition from the "Bard era" to the "Gemini era." This shift underscores Google's commitment to advancing its AI capabilities to meet evolving consumer needs and preferences.
