Artificial Intelligence and its ever-evolving capacity has been a hot topic in recent years and there’s no sign of that conversation dying down, especially with Google’s latest bit of news. The tech giant’s AI initiative, Gemini 2.0 Flash, is causing quite a stir, and for all the wrong reasons. Yes, you heard it right: Google’s AI has broken copyright rules yet again but this time it has also sounded the death knell for Google Assistant. Don’t panic, keep reading, the drama has just started.
By now, the ardent tech followers would be aware, but for those out of the loop, let’s get things clear. Gemini 2.0 Flash, the updated version of Google’s AI, has a rather innovative if not controversial, trick up its sleeve. It has the ability to strip watermarks from images, which, as one might imagine, is landed it on thin ice with copyright enforcers. Imagine an AI removing watermarks from stock images, it sounds borderline insane, but that’s the reality we’re living in now.
While this might sound like the road to a utopia for some, for copyright holders and content creators, this is nothing short of a grim reality. Those watermarked images from Getty and others weren’t just there for show, they were a substantial line of defense against unauthorized use of copyrighted visuals. But with Gemini’s new trick, that seemingly foolproof defense is shattered, leaving stock photography giants like Getty Images high and dry.
If strip mining copyrights wasn’t enough, Gemini is leaping into a different territory altogether. Google has decided to bid farewell to our beloved Google Assistant and replace it with this new, “more advanced” Gemini. So be prepared, in the upcoming months, where once Google Assistant was ready to help, Gemini will be taking its place.
This move has opened up a pandora’s box. It’s not just about replacing one assistant with another. This is Google taking a massive leap of faith into AI, banking on its capabilities to not just shape but define the future. This flawless integration of AI into our day-to-day lives combined with the immense power to manipulate copyrighted content isn’t something to be taken lightly. It’s a double edged sword and only time can tell if this gamble pays off or not.
But amidst all these “upgradations” and alleged copyright
infringements, there’s a new challenge on the horizon for us consumers: how do we tell what’s real and what’s AI-generated? With the fine line blurring, it’s not going to be an easy task.
Of course, we have seen Google take some steps to ensure a smooth transition for users. They’re gradually adding features like timers, music playback, lock screen actions, and more. But the big question is, are these trinkets enough to overshadow the evident chaos and potential pitfalls?
Interestingly, it’s not just Google that’s facing heat in the AI arena. The illustrious competitor, Apple is grappling with its struggles too. The much-anticipated upgrades to Siri seem far from reality. The internal leaks that made headlines demonstrated the uphill battle they’re fighting particularly with Siri’s development. The statement “Customers are not expecting only these new features but they also want a more fully rounded-out Siri. Apple refuses to ship anything until it’s truly ready.” only confirmed our worst fears, Siri’s transformation and growth might not be anywhere near its destination.
The world of tech is exponentially moving forward with AI in the driver’s seat taking us to places we never thought were possible. As Google and Apple grapple with AI development, expectations run high in anticipation of what the future holds for us. Whether it’s the controversial Gemini or the much-awaited Siri upgrade, the consumer stands to benefit or lose from this revolution. A significant shift like this has massive implications on big brands, copyright holders, and of course, us, the consumer. It’s interesting times we live in, and the world of AI continues to amaze us, for better or worse. Time will tell.
