How Much Will It Cost You to Use Google’s Best Artificial Intelligence?
One of the reasons AI has exploded since late 2022 (besides the fact that it’s pretty cool) is that much of it has been free to use. It costs nothing to sign up for ChatGPT or try out Google’s AI bot Gemini (formerly known as Bard), meaning anyone can experience the AI hype.
However, being free doesn’t pay the bills, and AI picks up the bill . Generative AI requires a lot of computing power , so all the companies behind this technology are looking for ways to finance their activities. ChatGPT has a Plus subscription that gives you access to more features and functionality, and the Midjourney AI generator offers several pricing tiers to choose from.
Now Google has joined this initiative. During its fourth-quarter earnings call, the company confirmed that it plans to roll out “Bard Advanced” to subscribers. As it turns out, Bard Advanced is actually Gemini Advanced , and it’s available now if you’re willing to pay.
What is Gemini Advanced?
Google’s AI offerings are starting to get a little more complex, so here’s a quick overview: Google’s AI bot, once called Bard, is now called Gemini. This is the interface you use when you want to communicate with Google AI, perform generative AI searches, or generate images. Gemini is essentially Google’s version of ChatGPT.
Gemini used to be the name for what powers the AI bot: Google’s LLM (Large Language Model), which has three different layers . Pro 1.0 is the level on which the free version of Gemini is based. It seems quite powerful and capable of handling many basic tasks you throw at it. Additionally, there’s Nano 1.0, which brings AI features to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro .
However, Gemini Advanced runs at level three, Ultra 1.0, the most powerful version of Google LLM. Google says Ultra is “designed to solve highly complex problems and is built to quickly understand and process different types of information, including text, images, audio, video and code.” He also compares it to the best OpenAI models such as GPT-4, claiming that it outperforms that model in most testing categories.
Google believes that Advanced is best for advanced users who want an AI system that can help with complex coding problems, have longer, more meaningful conversations, or even generate sample tests on a specific subject.
How much does Gemini Advanced cost?
If you think you’ll benefit from Gemini Advanced, you’ll have to pay $19.99 per month. This puts Gemini Advanced in line with ChatGPT Plus pricing. However, Google is making Gemini Advanced part of its “AI Premium Plan,” which means you’ll also get other Google One perks when you sign up, namely 2TB of cloud storage.
There is also a two-month free trial, so if you’re interested, you can try the extended version risk-free. If you don’t find the $20 monthly benefit, you can cancel before the trial period ends.
None of this means Google’s free version of AI is going away. Just as there is a free version of ChatGPT that coexists with ChatGPT Plus, Gemini and Gemini Advanced will coexist. If you don’t want to pay for a more powerful version of Bard with more features, use the basic Google Gemini service. Whether you sign up for Gemini Advanced or use the free version, you’ll be able to access Google’s artificial intelligence online, from the new Android app , or from the Google iOS app .