Gemini 2.0 introduces capabilities such as interpreting images, generating audio, and engaging in multimodal interactions, marking a substantial advancement from its predecessor 1.0, released this time last year.
Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai wrote that this version will "understand more about the world around you, think multiple steps ahead and take action on your behalf, with your supervision."
Initially, Gemini 2.0 is available to select test groups and subscribers of Gemini Advanced at $20 per month.
Google plans to integrate the technology into its free services, including Chrome, YouTube, and digital maps, starting next year. This strategy positions Google against competitors like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft's AI-enhanced Windows features.
The launch coincides with Google's ongoing DOJ back and forth. In August, a federal judge ruled that Google's search engine practices violated antitrust laws, labeling the company an illegal monopoly.
The DOJ has proposed remedies that could include the divestiture of key assets such as the Chrome browser and the Android operating system.
Google has criticized these proposals as "overly broad" and plans to contest any breakup orders.
DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis said in April that over time the company will spend more than $100 billion developing artificial intelligence technology.
British Nobel Prize winner Hassabis cofounded DeepMind before Alphabet purchased the research laboratory for between $400 million and $650 million a decade ago.
Gemini 2.0 will power experimental ventures like "Project Astra," a universal AI agent designed for more meaningful user interactions, and "Project Mariner," a Chrome extension that automates web browsing tasks.
Both projects are in early testing phases, with public access expected in the future.
The company is also enhancing its AI Overviews feature in search results, aiming to provide more accurate and comprehensive information for the two billion people who use up to seven of their products annually.
This move should address previous issues where AI-generated suggestions were inaccurate or misleading. One viral example to answer the question "How many feet does an elephant have" resulted in a Google AI overview answer that said, "Elephants have two feet, with five toes on the front feet and four on the back feet." Other examples include advising users to smoke while pregnant and put glue on pizza.
The improvements will initially be available to a test audience, with a wider release planned for next year.
If the U.S. Department of Justice gets its way, Google will be forced to sell or spin-off Chrome as part of its punishment for deploying its search engine in ways that allegedly stifle competition and potential innovation.
The company plans to appeal any adverse rulings, which should arrive by mid-2025. Doing so will likely extend the legal battle for years to come.
In the meantime, the California giant is pressing forward with its fast-paced movement through the AI arms race.
"I can't wait to see what this next era brings," wrote CEO Sundar Pichai in his blog post.