Gemini's Personal Intelligence: A Step Forward or Just Another AI Gimmick?

Gemini, a popular AI tool, has recently introduced a feature called Personal Intelligence. This update allows Gemini to tap into your past chats and data from other Google services like Gmail, Calendar, Photos, and search history. It's optional, and you get to pick which apps Gemini can access. Right now, it's only available to those with AI Pro and Ultra subscriptions. This might remind you of Gemini's previous ability to connect with Workspace apps. But back then, you had to ask it to check your email or calendar. Now, Gemini can do this on its own. For example, if you're talking about concert tickets, it might check your emails for relevant info. This makes Gemini more useful, as you don't have to guide it every step of the way. Gemini also offers suggested prompts to try out Personal Intelligence. For instance, it can recommend books based on your interests. In one case, it suggested titles that were spot-on. It also helped plan backyard lawn care, adding reminders to the calendar and creating a shopping list. This is a big improvement from a few months ago when Gemini struggled with simple tasks like adding events to the calendar.However, Gemini isn't perfect. When asked to plan bike routes, it had good ideas but struggled with details. It provided incorrect map links and suggested unsafe routes. Similarly, when asked to recommend neighborhoods for an afternoon outing, Gemini got some details wrong. It mislocated a restaurant and endorsed a closed shop. This made the task more tedious than helpful. Privacy is another concern. Gemini can access personal data, and it might share it in conversations. For example, it mentioned the user's husband and child by name. While this info is easy to find with access to emails and calendars, hearing it out loud can be unsettling. Despite its flaws, Personal Intelligence has expanded Gemini's usefulness. It can now handle personal tasks more reliably. However, its tendency to get details wrong and privacy concerns might hold it back.