Evolving "Hey Google": Will Gemini rewrite the future of digital assistants?

Evolving “Hey Google”: Will Gemini rewrite the future of digital assistants?،

Google has just launched its Gemini app for Android, and it wouldn't be surprising if it replaces the Google Assistant sooner or later. I mean, the tech giant itself hinted at it during the Pixel 8 launch last year when introducing the AI-powered assistant with Bard. Now Bard is no more, but Gemini is here. Wondering what Gemini is? If you ask him, he might tell you this:

I'm a Gemini, best way to get direct access to Google AI. I am trained on large amounts of publicly available data and can communicate and generate human-like text in response to a wide range of questions.

The days of “Hey Google, set a timer” could be numbered with the new AI-powered chatbot shaking up the digital assistant scene. But will it completely rewrite the future? Let's explore.

FROM ELIZA to Gemini: a story of human-machine conversation

A conversation with ELIZA (Image credit – Wikipedia)

To get a glimpse of the future, let's start with a trip down memory lane. It all started in the 1960s. ELIZA (female names seem to be the preferred choice), a primitive chatbot developed by Joseph Weizenbaum at MIT, laid the foundation for how we interact with our devices today.

Fun fact: ELIZA even tricked people into thinking it was human. Imagine Weizenbaum's shock when his own secretary kicked him out for quality discussion with ELIZA. This experiment gave rise to the ELIZA effect, where people see human qualities in computers. It reminds us that even basic AI can tap into our deep desire for connection, blurring the lines between humans and machines in our interactions with virtual assistants (just watch the movie “Her”).

The first smartphone, Simon, made by IBM (Image credit – Science Museum Board of Trustees) - “Hey Google” in evolution: Will Gemini rewrite the future of digital assistants?

The first smartphone, Simon, manufactured by IBM (Image credit – Science Museum Board of Trustees)

Speech recognition has gone further, with programs like Harpy, including up to 1,000 words (impressive for the 70s!). Then came the 90s and IBM's great advances: the integration of voice recognition into PCs and the launch of Simon, the first smartphone which laid the foundations for the integration of intelligent virtual assistants into mobile devices.

2011 was a game changer: Siri arrived on the iPhone 4S, allowing us to chat with our devices like never before. Soon, Amazon's Alexa, followed by Google Assistant, joined the party. This technological race between giants has fueled rapid progress, making our assistants smarter and better integrated into our lives. In the 2020s, AI chatbots like ChatGPT are pushing the boundaries, generating surprisingly human-like conversations. Google's Bard is following suit, using AI to craft answers based on real-world information. And that brings us to Gemini, the latest chapter in this evolving story of human-machine conversation.

A rewritten future? The potential impact

“Hey Google” in evolution: Will Gemini rewrite the future of digital assistants?

So, will applications like Gemini or OpenAI's ChatGPT rewrite the future? Large language models (LLMs) like Gemini or ChatGPT bring a new level of sophistication to the digital assistant game. They process text, images and context, allowing for open dialogue and understanding. Ask them to analyze a poem, generate a creative story, or simply discuss the day, and they will respond with surprising coherence and wit.

Unlike Alexa's one-size-fits-all approach, Gemini and ChatGPT tailor their interactions to each user, learning from each conversation. This future holds immense potential, from streamlining daily routines to opening new educational and creative avenues. However, as with any powerful technology, ethical considerations and potential job loss issues loom large.

Can AI assistants become true partners, or are we just feeding more data to tech giants?

Image credit–Google

This central question goes to the heart of the future of digital assistants. On the one hand, the personalized and engaging nature of LLMs, like Gemini, suggests a deeper level of partnership. An AI companion that understands your goals, anticipates your needs, and helps you achieve them could be a valuable asset, not just a tool.

However, concerns remain. The data-intensive nature of these LLMs raises questions about privacy and ownership. Are we just handing over more data to tech giants in exchange for a digital friend? Can an AI truly understand and empathize with us, or are we just creating ever more sophisticated simulations?

The answer probably lies somewhere in between. Although a true emotional connection with an AI might be a distant dream, LLMs can undoubtedly evolve into valuable collaboration tools. The key lies in responsible development, transparency and user control over the data. Open source initiatives and decentralized models could offer solutions, ensuring that AI assistants empower us, not the other way around.

The road ahead: challenges and opportunities

Building trust and ensuring responsible development of AI are crucial challenges. But the opportunities seem to outweigh the concerns. Although the new initiative called the US AI Safety Institute Consortium should also address these concerns. Responsible development and user awareness can pave the way for a symbiotic future in which LLMs enable us to be more effective, creative and informed. While Gemini and its ilk won't make your existing assistant disappear overnight, they represent a significant step forward. As we explore this evolving landscape, one thing is certain: the future of digital assistants is anything but simple. It's a future where conversation, not commands, takes center stage, and where the possibilities are truly exciting.