Gemini Cheat Sheet: Google’s Confusing AI Jargon Decoded

Google’s products and services have gained a reputation for being confusing over the years, and the company’s Gemini AI project is no exception. Similar to Google Meet, which relies on Google Duo and Hangouts, the term Gemini can refer to different things depending on the context. For example, many recent smartphones like the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24 series advertise having Gemini on board, but that’s not quite the same as the Gemini chatbot that you can access through an app or browser.

With so many different Google products and services bearing the Gemini title, we think it’s worth taking a step back and decoding what it all means.

Gemini refers to Google’s chatbot And family of large language models (LLM) — two different things but still closely related. The chatbot aspect is relatively simple to understand: think of it as Google’s in-house ChatGPT alternative.

The Gemini chatbot can answer questions, search for information on the Internet, generate images, and more. These capabilities come from the underlying large AI language model, also called Gemini. However, it is not a single, monolithic LLM: Gemini is a family of large language models and it is currently available in three sizes: Nano, Pro and Ultra.

In other words, Gemini is analogous not only to ChatGPT but also to the GPT family of language models. Google confusingly uses the same name for both products, so you’ll often have to guess the meaning from context.

For example, when the search giant advertises Gemini on its Pixel smartphones, it is a reference to the language model. However, you can’t chat directly with Gemini on a Pixel, at least not yet. Instead, the phone leverages the AI ​​model for features like Smart Reply. We’ve put together a list of Gemini-based features available on the Pixel 8, in case you’re interested in learning more.

Google also often refers to Gemini in its chatbot form, which is how the majority of people recognize it. The chatbot is intended to replace Google Assistant on Android, meaning you can use Gemini to control your smart home, find cheap flights, and everything in between. However, you can also access it through a web browser for a more traditional chatbot experience.

Aside from the basics, there are many more aspects to Google’s AI project that aren’t immediately obvious. From Gemini “1.5 Pro” to the Gemini Advanced subscription, here’s everything you need to know about Google AI lingo.

1. Gemini Nano

Gemini Nano is the smallest language model in Google’s lineup. It is designed to be simple and efficient so that it can work directly on smartphones. As mentioned earlier, it powers a host of on-device AI features like Magic Compose and summaries in the Recorder app.

However, Gemini Nano does not offer a chatbot experience and you cannot communicate with it directly. The advantage is that all processing takes place locally, so you don’t have to worry about sensitive data leaving your device.

2. Gemini Pro

Gemini Pro is the mid-sized language model capable of handling a wider variety of tasks. In particular, it powers the default chatbot experience. When you visit gemini.google.com or use the smartphone app, the Gemini Pro language model is used under the hood.

In terms of capabilities, Google says Gemini Pro is at least on par with OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 and even surpasses it in some cases.

3. Gemini Ultra

Gemini Ultra is the largest model in the family and offers the highest level of performance, as you would expect. It also requires the most computing power, which is why Google has locked it behind a $20 monthly subscription. We’ll talk more about this in a later section.

Continuing the previous GPT analogy, Google’s Gemini Ultra rivals the state-of-the-art GPT-4 language model. However, it has since been replaced by Gemini 1.5 Pro.

4. Gemini 1.5 Pro: Google’s latest flagship AI model

Just a few months after launching Gemini in three sizes, Google launched a next-generation model called Gemini 1.5. The name signals a minor revision, similar to how OpenAI released its latest GPT-4o model as a modest upgrade to GPT-4.

According to Google, Gemini 1.5 Pro matches the capabilities of Gemini 1.0 Ultra. And since this is the mid-sized model of generation 1.5, we can only conclude that it is less computationally expensive per word.

After four sizes, you might think that Gemini Advanced is another language model. However, Gemini Advanced actually refers to Google’s optional subscription that includes access to the highest performing language model (1.5 Pro).

The $20 per month subscription may seem steep, but it also offers other benefits of Google One, such as 2TB of cloud storage. Plus, you get Gemini for Workspace and the ability to run Python code directly in chats. This is a generous offer in our opinion, especially considering that neither ChatGPT Plus nor Copilot Pro offer additional cloud storage.

6. Gemini for the workspace

Google Workspace is another Google product that is somewhat confusing because it comes in both consumer and enterprise versions. Gemini for Workspace is similar: it’s a different product depending on whether you’re a user, a business owner, or a large enterprise.

Focusing on the user aspect of Gemini for Workspace, it is essentially an AI-powered assistant in Google apps like Gmail, Docs, Slides, and Sheets. For example, you can ask Gemini to summarize an email in Gmail or create a table in Sheets.

However, to access Gemini for Workspace, you will need a Gemini Advanced subscription (see above).

7. The Gemini AI Image Generator

Similar to competing chatbots, you can ask Google’s chatbot to create AI-generated artwork. The tool doesn’t have a name like Microsoft Designer or Midjourney. Instead, Gemini relies on Google’s internal image generation model.

Gemini’s AI Image Builder is free but it only supports English prompts at the moment. It also doesn’t work in the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and the UK for undisclosed regulatory reasons. Finally, the chatbot will also refuse to generate images related to sensitive topics and I have found that it will refuse to reproduce human characteristics.

8. What languages ​​does Gemini support?

Gemini chatbot supports 40 different languages. The list includes several of the world’s most widely spoken languages, ranging from Arabic to Japanese. However, not all features are available in these many languages. For example, the Gemini mobile app only supports 21 languages.

9. Gemini Availability: Supported Countries and Regions

In total, the Gemini chatbot is available in 230 countries, essentially worldwide. However, some features like the mobile app are again restricted depending on where you live. For example, AI image generation will not work in most European countries.

That’s all you need to know. We’ll update the list above as Google announces new Gemini-related features and requirements, so bookmark this page and come back later!