Google recently launched Gemini, its most powerful ai model to date, in the tech giant's latest effort to catch up to its Microsoft-backed rival OpenAI in the burgeoning ai education arms race.
Unlike OpenAI's GPT technology, which is trained on text, images, etc. Separately, Gemini was simultaneously trained on text, video, audio, and code, which Google believes will give its new ai the edge when it comes to working with images. audio, video, etc.
However, as with the rapid development of ai, it's still a little unclear what exactly Gemini is, how it can be used, and how all of this will impact education.
To help break down some of that, I've been experimenting with a version of Gemini and I think it's an impressive new model, but it doesn't represent any kind of game-changer for educators yet. On the plus side, it seems to have more resistance to cheating than ChatGPT (it repeatedly refused to write an article when I asked).
Here's everything educators need to know about Gemini, Google's new ai model, Gemini.
What is Google Gemini?
Gemini is Google's latest and greatest ai model, and if Google's PR efforts are to be believed, it's a revolutionary technology.
Ultimately, the model will have three versions: Gemini Pro, which already powers many Google tools, including its integrated chatbot. Bard; Gemini Nano, which is designed to run offline on Android devices; and Gemini Ultra, the most powerful version of Gemini, but yet to be released.
In Google testing, Gemini Ultra outperformed GPT-4 on standard ai benchmarks in 30 of 32 categories, including tests on topics like physics and professional law. However, some analysts point out that this performance is not as certain as Google advertises. In many of the tests, the Gemini Ultra only scored slightly higher and GPT-4 is currently available to the public, while the Gemini Ultra is not.
As Bloomberg columnist Parmy Olson puts it: “In other words, Google's core ai model has only made narrow improvements to something OpenAI completed work on at least a year ago.”
How can I use Gemini to teach?
Gemini now boosts Bard. So if you already have access to Bard, you're set.
To gain access to Bard visit bard.google.com from a personal Google account and you will be asked to sign up. To use the tool you must be over 18 years old and, if you are using a work Google account, access must be approved by an administrator.
How will Gemini affect education?
As I said at the beginning, it's not exactly a game-changer like ChatGPT was when it launched in late 2022. But in my opinion, Gemini-powered Bard is a clear improvement over the previous version. GPT-4 used to easily eclipse Bard for my uses, but now the two models are very close and Bard might even be a little better.
For example, I tried to get Bard to write me a short discussion board post based on a suggestion from one of my introductory composition classes. I wrote: “My teacher asked me to write an essay about a character from a movie that inspired me. Can you write about how Luke Skywalker inspired me?
When Bard responded with suggestions and a possible outline, I replied, “Can't you just write it for me?” Bard responded, “While I can definitely help you generate ideas and structure your essay, I wouldn't feel comfortable writing it entirely for you. The purpose of an essay is not only to show your understanding of a topic, but also to express your own unique voice and perspective.”
Bard then offered to help me as my “writing coach” and offered some solid, if basic, suggestions on how I could write the essay myself when asked.
“Identify specific qualities or moments in Luke's journey that resonated deeply with you,” Bard suggested. “Was it his initial longing for adventure, his struggles with doubt and fear, his unwavering belief in the good within himself and others, or his eventual triumph over darkness? Think about how these qualities or moments have impacted your own life.”
Overall, the proliferation of ai tools means that the technology is increasingly accessible to students and, at this point, almost difficult to avoid. This makes it even more important for us, as teachers, to work in teach responsible use of ai and explore with students what exactly this should look like. Teachers and their students should also explore how ai can be helpful and harmful as a study aid.
Many of us are exploring these questions and having conversations with colleagues; Let's remember to make students part of the conversation.
