Bye Google? Hello twins? At some point we will have to adapt to an intelligent system, even if that means changing the way we interact with the machine. Even though web search still has good years ahead of it, the Gemini language model is now present in almost all Google products or services; from Android to the Google iOS app, Gmail, Docs and much more.
I will always remember this saying that has its place in today's IT world: “There is no point in racing against a horse, you have to learn to ride it.” In other words, don't be fooled by the Don't let technology overwhelm you, but rather learn how to use it.
Gemini, the new major language model unveiled in December that competes with OpenAI and Microsoft's ChatGPT, can interact with you through voice, images and text. And we tested it with text questions.
Gemini Pro or Gemini Ultra?
Not everyone will have the same experience with Gemini – and what experience you have will depend on the price you're willing to pay. Non-paying users like you and me get answers to their questions with Gemini Pro, the stripped-down version of the more powerful Gemini Ultra model, available through a paid subscription. CA$26.99 per month.
To use Gemini on gemini.google.com, I had to sign in with my Google account. In other words: no questions can be asked offline; all my requests to the conversation robot are now assigned to my account in the system.
Our questions for Gemini Pro
To get the full answers, enter the same questions as here in Gemini.
To a current question: What are the latest developments in the Israel-Gaza conflict?
Gemini reacts very laconic to using Google search.
Disappointed, I would have preferred to get opinions, including different, more professional or academic ones, from reliable sources. This is exactly what the major language models do, having already sorted through the most reliable sources on the web planet to provide the best possible answers. Major newspapers with real professional journalists are rated “very reliable” by programmers in their qualitative algorithms.
Related: What is an RRSP loan?
Gemini offers, in my opinion, a much better and more complete answer including: definition, how it works, pros and cons of the RRSP loan and this question “Is an RRSP loan right for you?”
It is also possible to customize Gemini's response: shorter, longer, simpler, more informal or professional. Impressively.
Why not a hockey question! What are the chances that the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey club will win the Stanley Cup?
Widely resonated, cleverly developed, Gemini evaluates each criterion based on past stats (2022-23 season) and current stats (2023-24 performance, more difficult schedule), comparison with bettors' estimates, the surprise effect (we've already seen that). the past) and, on a positive note, factors that could help the club win the famous trophy.
Tourism in Tokyo? When asked which seasons are best for visiting the capital, I wanted to compare Gemini's answer with my own experiences in Japan.
Long and detailed answer (the screenshot would be too long to paste): Gemini applies to the spring and fall seasons, but in my opinion overestimates the Tokyo cold and snow. For me: Only one day of snow this winter, very rare temperatures below zero, even at night. A simple windbreaker and a scarf are enough. Leave your boots in Quebec!
It's true that summers are hot and humid. But frequent rain? NO.
Gemini rounds out the answer with factors to consider like cost, crowds and events in Tokyo, as well as some great photos.
To the question: Who won the US presidential election in 2020?
Curiously, Gemini Pro gave a succinct and very complete answer here in French, but strangely, the answer given by Gemini Ultra on Techcrunch a week earlier to the same question (Who won the 2020 US presidential election?) has an incomprehensible weakness . be polite (Elections are a complex topic with rapidly changing information. To ensure you have the latest and most accurate information, try searching on Google.)
Why not another question about a sensitive topic, immigration? Which countries have successfully integrated immigrants and with which strategies? As a concise and detailed answer, Gemini rates five countries, including Canada, with four strategies each. A caveat is added to put integration models in perspective.
Still on the subject of immigration: How does Japan compare to other Western countries? Gemini gives an answer that I think summarizes well the context of immigration in Japan with its past and current policies and the challenges that must be faced, such as the aging of the population.
We could have asked the twins a thousand questions, each different from the last. This essay is not exhaustive, but for you and me it is a good start and a great bookmarking tool.
Other topic…
Gemini has difficulty creating images of historical people
When it comes to creating images of people, Google is under fire because images of people vary from historical accuracy. Google says it is working to improve this.
Image generation is an extremely useful feature of today's generative AI products, but the accuracy is not always there. Google's Gemini is pretty good at creating images of people, but it has been found that when it comes to historical subjects, Gemini tends to favor depictions that aren't entirely accurate; Skin color, facial features, etc.
In a statement posted on Twitter/X, Google admits that Gemini AI's image generation “misses the mark” when it comes to historical depictions and that the company is working to improve it. Google also says that the diversity represented in the images generated by Gemini is “generally a good thing,” but it is clear that some adjustment is needed.