As reported by The Information, Google is exploring the possibility of giving its Gemini AI chatbot a personality, which could mark a significant breakthrough in the AI field.
Google is internally discussing the earliest possible launch of personalized chatbots by the end of this year. This initiative aims to make AI features more approachable and user-friendly. It is rumored that these personalized characters are likely to be inspired by well-known creators from the YouTube platform, although specific participants have not yet been determined.
The project is led by Ryan Germick, a senior Google designer and former manager of Google Doodles, with about 10 employees from the Google Labs working on it full-time. Currently, this feature is likely still in the experimental stage and may take some time before its official release.
Google has declined to issue an official statement on this matter but has confirmed that the Google Labs is the place where the company "tests future AI product concepts." This move could be part of Google's efforts to enhance the appeal of the Gemini AI, especially after its initial release received lukewarm responses.
Other industry players such as Character.AI and Meta have already provided similar personalized chatbot features in their products. Although these features have not yet gained widespread user attention, adding human-like characteristics to technology could help improve user acceptance.
Google's move reflects a new trend in the AI industry: enhancing AI's affinity through anthropomorphism. However, it also raises discussions about AI ethics, the use of celebrity likenesses, and user privacy. As the project progresses, the industry will closely watch how Google balances technological innovation with ethical considerations.