South Africa Becomes 1st African Nation to Receive Google’s AI Chatbot “Gemini”

Google has unveiled the rebranding of its artificial intelligence chatbot, transitioning from “Bard” to “Gemini,” and is introducing an upgraded version of the software to the public.

The new Gemini Pro artificial intelligence model will debut in South Africa before expanding to other markets across Africa.

The tech giant is rolling out a new mobile experience for Gemini and Gemini Advanced through a dedicated Gemini app on Android and the Google app on iOS in South Africa.

This update aims to provide users with versatile assistance, allowing them to type, talk, or add images for various tasks on the go, such as seeking help with a flat tire, creating custom images for invitations, or drafting challenging text messages.

Google’s decision to launch Gemini in South Africa stems from the significant increase in Google searches related to AI in the country, rising by 370% over the past year and 650% over the past five years.

Additionally, a survey conducted by Google revealed that South African respondents are already experiencing the impact of AI on information access, learning, and work.

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While the release of Gemini Advanced brings excitement, Google has introduced a subscription service for it, priced at R429.99 per month after a two-month trial period.

This subscription, included in the new Google One AI Premium Plan, offers access to the latest advancements in Google AI, along with benefits like 2TB of storage.

Subscribers will soon be able to integrate Gemini into Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and other Google services.

Gemini Advanced, powered by the Ultra 1.0 AI model, provides users in over 150 countries with advanced capabilities for complex tasks such as coding, logical reasoning, and collaboration on creative projects. Initially available in English, Gemini Ultra will expand to support more languages.

Gemini, previously known as ‘Bard,’ has witnessed a surge in performance and usage since its launch in December.

With this update, the chatbot is poised to compete with leading AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4, showcasing its enhanced capabilities and versatility.