What is Google Gemini (formerly Bard)? Everything you need to know

What can Google Gemini (formerly Bard) do?

Like ChatGPT from OpenAI, the leading AI company from the USA, Gemini is a multimodal, agent-enabled AI system that can process and generate text, images, audio and video. He owes the former name Bard to the English word for “poet” or “bard.” Gemini is based on its own large language model. It is able to answer questions and draw conclusions based on an extensive database. This makes it possible to conduct human-like dialogues and to create your own, original texts. Gemini also has agency functions, auto browse, deep research, multimodal interactions, and is comprehensively integrated with Google products.

With the market trend, Gemini is developing into a personal assistant.

The model's top functionalities include:

• Multi-modal processing: Text, images, audio, and video can be processed simultaneously to answer complex, cross-media inquiries
• Generative content: Create texts, images, videos and audio directly in the model, e.g. for creative projects, summaries or storytelling
• Agentic automation: Gemini can carry out tasks independently, such as booking appointments or researching.
• Personalized intelligence: Integration with Gmail, Calendar, Keep, Maps and other Google apps enables contextual, individually tailored recommendations for the user and allows automated workflows
• Deep Research and Scheduled Actions: Gemini supports multi-stage task processing, including for creating structured reports and planned actions such as daily summaries or reminders (“scheduled actions”), which are executed automatically.

Gemini 3: Google's latest AI milestone

So far, Google has followed an annual cycle for major AI updates, for example Gemini 1 was launched at the end of 2023 and Gemini 2 was launched at the end of 2024. Gemini 3 was now rolled out for the first time on November 18, 2025, specifically Gemini 3 Pro Preview. The CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai, describes it as before‍. As a result, the model is able to recognize the context and intent behind requests even better than before, so that better output is provided with less prompting effort. The improved Mixture of Experts architecture should enable a dynamic selection of experts for specific tasks, i.e. instead of a single neural network working on all tasks alone, an MOE model of several “experts” is available.

Gemini 3 has been available since November in the Gemini app, for developers in AI Studio and Vertex AI, and in the new agent-based development platform Google Antigravity. This allows developers to work at a higher, task-oriented level and use AI support as an active partner. The Gemini 3 deep think mode for logical thinking is also available to security testers before it is made available to all Google AI Ultra subscribers. Advanced creativity features have been introduced with Gemini Canva. Gemini's leading multilingual service and a context window, combined with 1 million tokens, allow users to learn in the best possible way with AI and implement diverse ideas. In Google's words:

“Gemini 3 helps you learn, create, and plan everything. ”

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google

How does Google Gemini (formerly Bard) work?

The original goal of Google Gemini

The original goal of introducing Google's chatbot was to supplement the knowledge graph cards that appear for simple questions. While Knowledge Graph cards can provide definitions of terms, overviews of people, or places, the answers from Bard (now Gemini) were intended for what Google calls NORA questions: questions without a correct answer. The previous launch of the comparable chatbot ChatGPT was certainly not entirely incidental to the introduction of Google Bard (now Gemini).

How Gemini works

Google Gemini isable to grasp both questions and their context and is designedultimodal from the ground up. That's how Gemini is able to analyze extensive data sets and precisely predict which word comes next and which request the user could make next.

With Gemini 3 comes the sparse Mixture of Experts(MoE) architecture, so that computing resources are efficiently distributed across relevant submodels, via the Parameter controls like thinking_level and media_resolution. The depth of reasoning and the quality of media processing can also be determined. Longer conversations and complex analyses are possible due to the increased context windows, the input and output tokens (up to 1,048 576 tokens input, 65 536 tokens output).

Gemini then draws on information from the Google ecosystem, including apps such as Gmail, Calendar, Keep or Maps, and also from the Internet to deliver personalized answers appropriate to the context. The output is delivered using generative AI, also for images and videos. The overall goal of Gemini and all AI chatbots is to always provide high-quality, human-like answers.

The Google Bard (Gemini) Gemini update December 2023

Especially concerning the competitor ChatGPT, the Bard language model, now “Gemini”, presented in December 2023, is a major step forward. The special thing about the multimodal AI model is its architecture: While some other AIs, such as ChatGPT, consist of many different models that ensure that texts, images, audios and code can be processed, Google Gemini is holistically multimodal and consists of just a single system. With such a model, Gemini (formerly Google Bard) can set itself apart from competing AIs such as ChatGPT — but it is not a unique selling point on the market, as there are already other companies with holistically multimodal models.

The renaming of Bard to Gemini (February 2024)

In the past, the chatbot was called Bard and the underlying language model 2023 was   LaMDA. Since February 2024, both the chatbot and AI systems as well as the language model itself carry the name Gemini. The name alludes to the Latin word for “twin” and symbolizes versatility. The renaming was aimed at removing the confusion between chatbot and model. Gemini is therefore the uniform name for the entire platform and its AI models.

If you want to find out more about the model behind the chatbot, you can find detailed information in the article “Google Gemini explained”.

What is the score of Google Gemini usage in Germany?

In addition to Great Britain and the USA, the free basic version of Google Gemini is available in numerous countries worldwide, including the European Union, including Germany. In addition, the chatbot now supports more than 40 different languages, including German. Gemini can understand German inquiries and can also answer most of them in German. Developers and companies can use AI via the Gemini API and platform integrations as well as Google AI Studio/Vertex AI. The paid version called Google AI Pro (formerly Gemini Advanced) was only available in English for a long time, but has now also been available in German since May 2024. The mobile Gemini app is available for Android via the Google Play Store, and for iOS via the Google app. This allows Gemini to be used from anywhere. Since the beginning of 2026, Gemini can be used in Google Meet, “Ask Gemini” invites you to ask questions, also in German, and offers features such as real-time summaries in meetings.

Google Gemini vs. ChatGPT: What are the differences?

Even though ChatGPT and Google Gemini appear very similar at first glance, there are still differences:

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Both chatbots generally work on the basis of natural language processing, where users make inquiries and the AI generates human-like answers. The main differences between Google Gemini and ChatGPT lie in the sources from which they obtain information, as well as in their capabilities and areas of application.

1. Google (Gemini) and OpenAI (ChatGPT) solutions are based on different language models. ChatGPT currently uses GPT-5 models, which have been trained on large volumes of text from the web, books, forums, and scientific articles. The optional web search is limited depending on the tariff. With Gemini 3, Google enables real-time web access via Google Search and comprehensive workspace integration. The quality of the answers also differs depending on the area of application: Gemini often provides clearly structured and easy-to-read answers, while ChatGPT impresses with fluent and more creative answers, particularly for creative tasks, such as writing poetry or complex texts. ChatGPT also excels when it comes to coding tasks.
2. In the past, Gemini differed from ChatGPT primarily in providing access to up-to-date Internet information, while the free version of ChatGPT only used data up to 2023.

In fact, with the processing of over a million tokens at Gemini Advanced/Vertex AI (up to 64k tokens in output), Gemini 2.5/3 from Google Gemini can simultaneously capture significantly more information at the same time than GPT‑4/GPT‑5. Understanding: 1M tokens correspond to approximately 1,500 pages of PDF or 30,000 lines of code. In contrast, the context window in GPT-5.2 is limited to only around 400,000 tokens of total input capacity, up to 128,000 in output. Gemini thus represents a significant step forward in understanding and analyzing long texts.

The conclusion: The GPT models are particularly suitable for comprehensive text analyses, developer workflows and creative brainstorming sessions. Gemini, on the other hand, is ideal for Google Workspace teams and for large multimodal projects and analytics.

How can I use Google Gemini in Germany?

Using the free tier version of Gemini

• Go to the URL gemini.google.com upon
• No login is required to use Google Gemini; a prompt, i.e. an input, can be sent to Gemini directly in the user interface
• The operation is similar to ChatGPT — after entering the so-called “prompt”, you will receive human-like answers based on your request

Sign in with a Google account: To get access to more tools and features without wanting to pay anything, all you have to do is sign in with your personal Google account. You can then choose between the options: Deep research, creating videos (Veo 3.1), creating images, canvas and learning aid.

Using the paid Google AI Pro (formerly Gemini Advanced) version of Google Gemini

• Go to the URL gemini.google/subscriptions/
• A Google account and a subscription to “Google AI Pro” (formerly Google One AI Premium) are required to use Google AI Pro (formerly Gemini Advanced)
• Click on the “Try it free for 1 month” button to be able to test.

Attention: Users must be over 18 years of age to use.

Expanded access to new and powerful features is available in the paid plans “Google AI Plus”, “Google AI Pro” and “Google AI Ultra” (formerly Gemini Advanced). Users can therefore use the latest Gemini models, and advanced research functions, multimedia generation, including image and video creation, and access to AI tools such as NotebookLM or Whisk are available.

Prices vary regionally, particularly between US dollars and European euro prices. There are also occasional discount promotions, such as lower starting prices for Plus or Pro for students. Here are the rates at a glance:

Official prices and descriptions: Google Gemini subscriptions.

How does logging in to Google Gemini work?

To sign in to Google Gemini, simply follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Gemini website in your browser (gemini.google.com).
2. Click the “Sign In” button at the bottom left or at the top right.
3. Enter your email address or phone number that's associated with your Google account and
   

Is Google Gemini (formerly Bard) free?

Google Gemini can therefore be used free of charge in principle. A Google account is enough to log in and use other basic functions. In addition, there are the paid versions described above, which offer access to the currently most powerful Gemini 3 model, with an extended context window, optimized multimedia generation and additional AI tools.

If you want to test Google AI Pro, you can do so for one month; the subscription is automatically renewed unless canceled in time. Students also have the option to use Google AI Pro free of charge until the end of the 2026 academic year.

What should you not share with Google Gemini?

In principle, no personal or confidential information should be shared with Google Gemini. The reason is that Google collects and stores personal data in order to improve the AI. Data such as chat content, locations and device information is saved in the Google account by default to personalize user experiences and improve services, according to Google. However, privacy settings can be adjusted via “Keep Activity”. Using incognito or private mode with browsers prevents local browsing data from being saved, but doesn't change the way Gemini activity is saved to the Google Account. One should be aware of this when using Gemini, so it is advisable to be careful when entering sensitive information.

However, the data protection guidelines are designed in such a way that companies only collect data that users actively provide. Google must also offer opt-out options (e.g. “deactivate Gemini activity”) and may use sensitive data under the GDPR Do not use it indefinitely or covertly. In addition, using the EU AI Acts Transparency, security and responsibility when dealing with AI are better regulated. There are already stricter promises for Workspace, Enterprise and Education customers, for example, AI must not be trained with customer data.

Google Gemini as a helpful additional research tool

Google Gemini is a versatile AI-powered assistant that is ideal for research, automation, complex work, and exploratory information. This is particularly possible thanks to multimodality and large context windows. Gemini delivers quick results and supports experimental work processes. However, as with all chatbots, Gemini does not always necessarily provide correct or complete answers. It is recommended that you critically review the information provided, particularly when it is used for important decisions or external publications.

Both models, GPT and Gemini, now provide up-to-date information from the Internet, but differ in their integration with platforms and tools: Gemini is deeply integrated with Google Workspace, Chrome and other Google services, while ChatGPT works via plugins and API connections.

Despite the advanced features, Gemini and comparable chatbots are less suitable for professional use in customer communication. It is difficult to fully control the content, and aspects such as GDPR compliance, company policies, or legally relevant requirements cannot be reliably implemented, making manual control or post-processing essential.

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_{The information in this article is regularly updated to ensure accuracy and truthful content.}