Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is impressing the tech community with his endorsement of Google’s Gemini Live, an AI voice assistant. He praised it on social media, noting its zero latency and calling it the “future of consumer AI.” This accolade reflects his ongoing exploration of AI technologies, particularly in consumer applications. Gemini Live’s integration into everyday tasks positions it as a contender against established assistants. Benioff’s criticism of Microsoft’s Copilot for failing to meet expectations further highlights the divide in AI offerings.
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Gemini Live: Benioff’s endorsement and user experience
In a recent post on X, Benioff expressed his excitement for Gemini Live, stating, “Just downloaded Gemini Live, and I’m absolutely blown away.” He highlighted its performance, emphasizing “zero latency,” which refers to the instant response the AI provides when engaged in conversation. He encouraged others to try it, praising the work of Google CEO Sundar Pichai as “truly groundbreaking.”
Benioff’s enthusiastic feedback follows his criticisms of Microsoft’s AI assistant, Copilot, which he previously described as “disappointing” and compared unfavorably to the defunct Clippy. He noted, “Microsoft has really disappointed so many of our customers,” criticizing the disparity between the hype surrounding their AI solutions and actual performance.
With the release of Gemini Live as a mobile app, which became available on the App Store recently, iOS users can now access Google’s latest AI technology directly on their smartphones. The AI assistant responds dynamically to voice commands, enabling users to engage in natural conversations.
Gemini Live vs. ChatGPT vs. Copilot
Gemini Live joins OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot in the competitive market for AI chatbots. Each boasts unique functionalities, operating under different frameworks. During an interaction with Business Insider, Gemini Live provided a detailed, conversational explanation as to why San Francisco experiences fog, something its counterparts did in a similar vein but with minor variances in delivery.
While Gemini and ChatGPT’s approaches are relatively parallel regarding casual inquiries, Copilot is more geared toward productivity tasks, serving a different niche in the market. Each assistant has limitations, including the propensity to produce inaccuracies or “hallucinations.”
During Salesforce’s Dreamforce conference, Benioff discussed using ChatGPT primarily for personal reflection, humorously stating it worked “mostly as my therapist.”
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As Geminis Live continues to gain traction, anticipation grows surrounding its integration with Apple Intelligence features. Industry speculation, particularly from tech analysts like Mark Gurman, suggests that while Google plans to collaborate with Apple for Gemini integration, it may take time. The expectation is that the integration might not occur until next year, especially as Apple appears to be granting OpenAI a temporary exclusivity window following their recent partnership to bring ChatGPT to iOS.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s software executive, conveyed his hopes for incorporating Google’s Gemini chatbot into Apple Intelligence, but with no immediate timeline confirmed, users may have to wait for further updates.
In the meantime, Google has launched a standalone app that allows iPhone users to access Gemini capabilities, positioning it as a direct competitor to other AI assistants.
Benioff, who has refrained from commenting directly on the planned integration, remains a significant voice in promoting AI advancements, emphasizing their role in reshaping consumer technology.
Continued developments in AI technology, especially with high-profile endorsements like Benioff’s, are essential in understanding the competitive landscape. As companies like Google and Apple explore formal integrations and features, the AI assistant market is poised for significant evolution, catering to consumer needs with greater immediacy and contextual awareness.
Featured image credit: Salesforce
