Weekly Prompt: Google Gemini gets personal and other news

Gemini gets personal: Google updates AI chatbot

Google has launched a new experimental feature for its Gemini AI chatbot, dubbed "Gemini with Personalization." This opt-in feature allows Gemini to access a user's Google Search history to provide more tailored and relevant responses.

Powered by the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental model, the feature analyses a user's query and determines if referencing their search history would enhance the answer. For example, Gemini could use past food-related searches to recommend restaurants. Google plans to expand this personalization to other services like YouTube and Google Photos in the future.

Google acknowledges potential privacy concerns and emphasises user control. Users must grant permission for Gemini to access their search history and can disconnect it at any time. Gemini will also display which data sources it used to generate its response.

The feature is currently available to Gemini and Gemini Advanced subscribers on the web, with a mobile rollout planned. It is accessible in over 40 languages in most countries, excluding the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the UK for now. Users under 18, as well as Google Workspace and Education users, are excluded from using the new feature.

Alongside personalization, Google has also announced expanded access to its Deep Research feature and Gems, customisable chatbots within Gemini.

Sources:  TechCrunch, The Verge, ZDNET

Additional prompts

AI gaming coach lands on Xbox. Microsoft is launching "Copilot for Gaming" next month for Xbox testers via the mobile app. Think of it as an AI gaming coach, offering tips, guides, and crafting advice (like in Minecraft). Early demos showed it analysing gameplay and suggesting hero picks. The actual launch features will be limited, with Microsoft iterating based on feedback. It's more of a concept demo for now, but Microsoft's vision is to have Copilot as a full-fledged gaming assistant across multiple devices. Read more on The Verge

Platinum Snapchatters get AI custom video lenses. Snapchat has launched "Video Gen AI Lenses," custom animations that align with video clips. Users select a lens (Raccoon, Fox, etc.), capture a Snap, and Snapchat's AI animates it. The feature is similar to regular lenses but more personalised. Initially, it is only available to Snapchat+ Platinum subscribers ($15.99/month for ad-free). Snapchat hopes the feature will boost Platinum subscriptions. These lenses will likely be available to all users eventually. Read more on Social Media Today

LinkedIn enhances AI ad targeting. LinkedIn has expanded its AI-powered Predictive Audiences tool, which builds audience profiles using AI modelling based on user data and LinkedIn insights. The tool now includes company lists and retargeting sources, further expanding targeting capacity. This is particularly valuable for B2B marketers, enabling exclusions and expanded business profiling. According to LinkedIn, early adopters using Predictive Audiences for lead generation saw a 21% reduction in cost-per-lead, suggesting significant benefits from AI-driven ad targeting. Read more on Social Media Today