Google has introduced new personalization features for its Gemini chatbot, rolled out in experimental mode on Thursday. The updates include the ability for Gemini to reference users’ Google Search histories to provide more relevant recommendations.
Google’s Gemini chatbot gets a major upgrade with personalized features
This opt-in feature allows Gemini to utilize search history data within its conversational AI, enhancing the user experience. Additionally, users can now connect various Google apps to Gemini, including Calendar, Notes, Tasks, and Photos.
The company announced that it will make Gems, a custom AI helper for tasks, available to all users. Gems enables users to customize Gemini to act as a personal AI expert on any topic.
These developments align with Google executives’ efforts to strengthen their position in the competitive AI industry. DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis indicated in December that he aims to “turbocharge” the Gemini app this year, highlighting the significance of scaling Gemini for consumers as a primary focus for the upcoming year.
On Wednesday, Google also launched its open-source Gemma 3 models for developers, which can analyze text, images, and short videos, claiming it to be “the world’s best single-accelerator model” operable on one GPU. Additionally, Google introduced two new AI models, Gemini Robotics and Gemini Robotics-ER (extended reasoning), both capable of operating on Gemini 2.0, which Google describes as its “most capable” AI to date.
Leveraging its advantage in Search, Google aims to make Gemini distinctively relevant. With the new personalization features, Gemini can analyze user queries to determine if referencing Search history will provide enhanced responses. This feature operates under the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental model and will refer to search results only when deemed helpful by the AI. For example, if users inquire about restaurant recommendations, Gemini may consider recent food-related searches.
The broader personalization rollout will eventually connect Gemini to additional apps like YouTube and Google Photos, enabling the chatbot to offer deeper insights based on user activities and preferences. Users have the option to disconnect their search history from Gemini at any time, and responses will outline how the information was obtained, including references to saved information, past conversations, or Search history. A “clear banner” will facilitate the disconnection process.
Gemini and Gemini Advanced subscribers on the web can enable the experimental personalization feature through the model drop-down menu. This feature is currently being gradually rolled out on mobile and is accessible in over 40 languages across a majority of countries.
Other updates include a free option for all Gemini users to create personal AI assistants known as Gems. Furthermore, the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental model is being integrated into the Deep Research feature, enhancing the chatbot’s capabilities across all research stages.
Integration with Calendar, Notes, Tasks, and Photos is being upgraded to the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental model, joining existing integration with YouTube, Search, and Google Maps.
Featured image credit: Google
