Gemini, the AI chatbot that knows me better than I thought, has made a big leap forward with its new Personal Intelligence feature. This update allows it to reference past conversations and access my data in other Google services, such as Gmail, Calendar, Photos, and search history, without needing explicit prompting.
The implications are significant. No longer do I need to painstakingly ask Gemini to check something in my email or calendar; it can now do so on its own accord. This shift from a chore to a convenience is huge. However, it also raises concerns about the reliability of the AI's responses and the potential for errors.
While Personal Intelligence has increased the scope of what I'll use Gemini for, it's not without its drawbacks. The AI excels at analyzing my interests and making good guesses about what I'd be interested in, but it often struggles with details. In one conversation, it provided a list of neighborhoods I might enjoy visiting for photography, but only if I lived in Ballard – a fact that Gemini correctly deduced from our previous conversations.
However, this level of accuracy is marred by small mistakes. The AI claimed a restaurant was located in Georgetown when, in reality, it's actually in South Park. Another recommendation pointed to a T-shirt shop that appears to be closed based on its Google Maps listing. These errors make the experience feel more like work than convenience.
Gemini's biggest challenge lies not with the accuracy of its personal data but with the reliability of its responses. A year ago, it was prone to getting information wrong regularly; now, it can provide reliable personal details – but at a cost. The AI referenced my husband and child by name in one conversation, which raises concerns about privacy.
Despite these misgivings, Personal Intelligence has increased my willingness to use Gemini for tasks like planning bike routes or suggesting neighborhoods to visit. I'll continue to use the tool, but with caution, fact-checking its recommendations whenever possible.
Ultimately, this update demonstrates Gemini's potential as a powerful personal assistant. However, it also serves as a reminder that AI is not yet perfect and requires careful consideration when relying on its responses – especially when it comes to sensitive information like personal data.
The implications are significant. No longer do I need to painstakingly ask Gemini to check something in my email or calendar; it can now do so on its own accord. This shift from a chore to a convenience is huge. However, it also raises concerns about the reliability of the AI's responses and the potential for errors.
While Personal Intelligence has increased the scope of what I'll use Gemini for, it's not without its drawbacks. The AI excels at analyzing my interests and making good guesses about what I'd be interested in, but it often struggles with details. In one conversation, it provided a list of neighborhoods I might enjoy visiting for photography, but only if I lived in Ballard – a fact that Gemini correctly deduced from our previous conversations.
However, this level of accuracy is marred by small mistakes. The AI claimed a restaurant was located in Georgetown when, in reality, it's actually in South Park. Another recommendation pointed to a T-shirt shop that appears to be closed based on its Google Maps listing. These errors make the experience feel more like work than convenience.
Gemini's biggest challenge lies not with the accuracy of its personal data but with the reliability of its responses. A year ago, it was prone to getting information wrong regularly; now, it can provide reliable personal details – but at a cost. The AI referenced my husband and child by name in one conversation, which raises concerns about privacy.
Despite these misgivings, Personal Intelligence has increased my willingness to use Gemini for tasks like planning bike routes or suggesting neighborhoods to visit. I'll continue to use the tool, but with caution, fact-checking its recommendations whenever possible.
Ultimately, this update demonstrates Gemini's potential as a powerful personal assistant. However, it also serves as a reminder that AI is not yet perfect and requires careful consideration when relying on its responses – especially when it comes to sensitive information like personal data.