Google's AI model Gemini is becoming more and more personalized. The company announced this week that enabling new personalization tools will allow AI chatbots to reference your search history to enhance and deepen their response.
The company said in a blog post that it will analyze queries and cross-reference your search to provide a “contextually relevant response that suits your personal interests.”
Google says it's part of a broader strategy for Gemini not only answering general questions, but also getting to know you better. It adds that it only references your search results when it is determined that they can meaningfully improve the output.
“We only use your search history when our advanced inference model determines that it is actually useful,” the company said in a blog post. “Early testers found that Gemini had personalization, which helped brainstorm and get personalized suggestions. We will continue to collect user feedback on the most useful app for this feature.”
Some examples Google offers include: “Where should I go on vacation this summer?” or, “I want to launch a YouTube channel, but need content ideas” that may connect the response to what you know about your interests.
Growth Trend
This work coincides with the growing trends at tech companies, especially Chatgpt-Maker Openai, aims to make AI more intuitive, context-aware and gain a deeper understanding of the needs and preferences of its users.
The tool (powered by its experimental Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinky model) will outline its reasoning and display the data it gets from previous searches. Google also says it will explicitly obtain permission before connecting to your search history or any other app.
Initially, it will launch in over 45 languages as a Gemini and Gemini premium subscriber (currently only on the web) and will expand to mobile over time.
The company also announced that it will launch its in-depth research tools for all Gemini users for free. The tool was announced in December, similar to the same name feature of Openai. Its purpose is to save your time by working as a personal AI research assistant, searching and synthesizing information from the web in minutes.
User trust is crucial
Google says it pairs its newly upgraded in-depth research with the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinky model, which provides real-time reasoning when browsing the web, as part of improving reporting quality.
Jitesh Ubrani, an analyst at market research firm IDC, told CNET that the shift to personalization will increase the use and excitement of the technology. But he also warned that the benefits should not come at the expense of user trust.
“There will certainly be privacy issues, so it’s important for Google and other companies to provide consumers with the right tools to ease their focus,” he said. “Best of all, this should be something that users choose to choose rather than opt out.”
