Google Introduces Gemini AI Assistant for Chrome
Google has announced the integration of its Gemini AI assistant into the Chrome browser during its recent Google I/O event. The new feature will allow users to clarify complex information on webpages and summarize content, according to a blog post by Gemini’s vice president, Josh Woodward. Future updates are expected to enhance Gemini’s capabilities, enabling it to navigate across multiple tabs and assist users by browsing websites on their behalf.
During a preview ahead of the announcement, Charmaine D’Silva, a director of product management on the Chrome team, demonstrated Gemini’s functionality. A sparkle icon in the top right corner of Chrome allows users to initiate a chat with the Gemini assistant. The chatbot interface is designed to be movable and resizable, providing a versatile platform for interaction.
In the demonstration, D’Silva opened a product page for a sleeping bag on REI’s website. By selecting a prompt from Gemini, she was able to quickly obtain a summary of the bag’s features. When asked whether the sleeping bag was suitable for camping in Maine, Gemini responded by referencing details from both the REI page and the broader internet.
D’Silva further explored Gemini’s capabilities by comparing two sleeping bags from different retailers. The AI assistant efficiently generated a comparative analysis, complete with a table detailing the differences between the products.
Initially, users will be able to maintain conversations with Gemini while switching between tabs. However, later this year, enhancements to the software will allow users to select multiple tabs and inquire about content across them simultaneously.
Additionally, a future feature demonstrated involved using Gemini to navigate websites directly. D’Silva showcased the assistant’s ability to pinpoint specific sections of a recipe site, such as scrolling straight to the ingredient list, and converting measurements when asked to change the amount of sugar from cups to grams.
In selected demonstrations, Gemini in Chrome appeared to offer practical utility, particularly in areas like comparison tables and instant conversions. Nonetheless, some users may prefer to conduct their own research instead of relying on AI summaries, given the potential for misinformation that can arise from AI-generated content.
The Gemini feature in Chrome is set to launch on Wednesday, initially available for early access users aged 18 and older on Windows and macOS platforms. It will be accessible to subscribers of Google’s AI Pro and Ultra plans, as well as users of Chrome’s beta, canary, and developer channels, explained Parisa Tabriz, Google’s VP and GM of Chrome.
Regarding the future integration of Gemini into mobile versions of Chrome, Tabriz acknowledged that it is a potential direction but emphasized that the current focus remains on desktop applications.
Correction: May 20th: Gemini in Chrome can maintain a conversation as users navigate between tabs; it is not limited to just two tabs, as previously stated.
