What Is Google Gemini?

Using technology such as large language models, Google Gemini, previously known as Bard, allows for easy access to Google AI, where you can enter a prompt and get a direct response in return. Google Gemini pulls from Google as well as information it has previously learned to answer questions for you, generate code, understand images, and more. If working with Google Gemini and artificial intelligence interests you, a career in this industry pays well. According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for artificial intelligence engineers is $113,325 [1].

Keep reading to learn more about Google Gemini and how you can leverage this powerful AI model.

What is Google Gemini used for?

Google Gemini is capable of multimodal processing, which means it understands an array of different inputs and can perform a variety of tasks for you. You can use it for something as simple as asking a question or more complex jobs such as describing a picture or summarizing an entire webpage on your screen. You can even have Gemini display information in the format of your choosing, whether that be in a chart, list, or table. 

Gemini is also capable of performing more advanced tasks. For example, you can use Gemini to write code in programming languages such as Python, analyze files for malware, and translate live conversations between different languages. The more you use Google Gemini, the smarter it gets based on your feedback, which allows it to respond more effectively to your needs.

Key features of Google Gemini

Google Gemini offers several different models, each offering unique features. Take a look at a detailed breakdown of these models and their capabilities:

• Gemini 1.0 Ultra: The largest Gemini model, 1.0 Ultra, is designed for complex tasks. It supports only text inputs but can perform complex coding and mathematical reasoning. 

• Gemini 1.0 Pro: This Gemini model accepts only text as an input and delivers text and code as output. It is Gemini’s best-performing model for many text-only tasks, including code generation, multi-turn text, and natural language tasks.

• Gemini 1.0 Pro Vision: Ideal for video and image understanding, Gemini 1.0 Pro Vision can turn unstructured data into structured data. It allows you to combine unstructured with structured data for larger data sets to use in object detection, image captioning, and more.

• Gemini 1.5 Pro: With the ability to accept text, images, video, code, audio, and PDF files as inputs, Gemini 1.5 Pro can analyze and understand a greater range of modalities, including prompts featuring over 100,000 lines of code.

• Gemini 1.5 Flash: Gemini 1.5 Flash’s strength in handling large volumes of data efficiently makes it a good option for building cost-effective applications. You can utilize 1.5 Flash for various purposes, such as summarizing, adding captions to images and videos, and pulling data from long documents and tables.

• Gemini 2.0 Flash: In comparison to the 1.5 version, Gemini 2.0 Flash offers enhanced speed and additional features such as multimodal response generation and bidirectional streaming, as well as enabling audio and image outputs in addition to text.

Who uses Google Gemini?

You can use Google Gemini within many industries, including human resources, sales, and marketing. Professionals from a wide range of areas benefit from the use of Google Gemini applications. Some examples of potential Gemini use cases include those in the following industries.

Human resources

In human resources, Google Gemini can help you with several tasks. For example, if you supply Google Gemini with a job title, it can draft a job description as well as a job posting. It can also help you come up with potential interview questions. 

Sales

Gemini can simplify complex technical information for customers, breaking it down into more accessible formats. It also offers support in creating presentation ideas and slide content for customer communications.

Marketing

In marketing, Gemini can assist with drafting presentation outlines, creating visualizations, and customizing your presentations for specific target audiences. It can also help write press releases, draft corporate profiles, and develop ideas for blog posts.

Cybersecurity

Gemini 1.5 Pro and 1.5 Flash can create reports detailing the information found within code or files to identify malware, vulnerabilities, and suggestions for staying protected.

Software development

One of Gemini’s features is Gemini Code Assist, which improves the efficiency of the software development process and code quality. Software developers can use Gemini with over twenty different programming languages.

Pros and cons of Google Gemini

One advantage of Google Gemini is the several variants it offers. This allows you to access the most optimal version of Gemini for both the task you need to complete as well as the device you use it on. The list of ways you can use Gemini to your advantage is extensive, from coding, brainstorming, data protection, image creation, email writing, and much more, leading to an increase in productivity. 

The use of Google Gemini does present some challenges as well. For example, Gemini ran into problems when it released an image generation feature that people used to create inaccurate, and sometimes offensive images, leading Google to pause this feature. Another issue to be aware of with Gemini is the potential for bias within training data to negatively skew outputs. Additionally, Gemini may generate model hallucinations, or inaccurate, fabricated outputs, due to limitations in its understanding of reality. 

Is Google Gemini better than ChatGPT?

Google Gemini and ChatGPT are both regularly evolving as updates come along. Nonetheless, Gemini offers advantages that ChatGPT doesn’t currently match such as image generation, as well as Gemini’s ability to connect to other Google applications. 

Does Google Gemini cost money?

You can access Google Gemini for free as long as you’re over 18 and have a Google account. For access to Gemini Workspace features you can use in various business applications, plans are available ranging from $10 to $36 per user depending on the features and payment plan you choose [2].

Explore Google Gemini and AI on Coursera

Previously known as Google Bard, Gemini is Google’s newer, more powerful AI model. On Coursera you can find highly rated courses to learn about Gemini and practice using its features. With Gemini for Application Developers from Google Cloud, you can learn how to use Gemini to generate code through prompts. To discover more about prompts, you can take the Google Prompting Essentials course to uncover how to give proper instruction to generative AI.