What is Google's plan for Assistant AI makeover? All you need to know about new features

Google is embarking on an ambitious plan to give Google Assistant a major makeover using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, as revealed by multiple reports. The tech giant aims to incorporate AI models similar to the ones driving ChatGPT and Google's own Bard chatbot into the voice assistant. The company hopes that the Large Language Model (LLM) can significantly modify how the Assistant interacts with consumers, developers, and Google's own personnel.

What Is Google Assistant?

Google Assistant is a voice-activated AI assistant developed by Google. Its primary role is to interpret and process user commands, providing services such as setting reminders, delivering news updates, managing device settings, or answering queries. It's compatible with a multitude of devices including smartphones, smart speakers, laptops, tablets, and cars. With the ongoing shift towards generative AI, Google aims to enhance the Assistant's capabilities further. Almost all Android OS devices support Google Assistant.

New Changes

As reported, the shift towards the AI-powered Assistant has already kicked off, focusing initially on the mobile version of the product. The tech giant is looking to introduce a more powerful Assistant using LLM technology.

In an internal email to the employees, Google Vice President Peeyush Ranjan and Product Director Duke Dukellis expressed that the company remains deeply committed to Assistant and maintains an optimistic outlook about its bright future. However, this organisational shift will involve some restructuring within the teams that work on Assistant and will sadly result in the elimination of a few roles, affecting dozens of employees.

The company has already made significant strides in AI advancements with the unveiling of its LLM, PaLM 2. The newly introduced model empowers Bard, Google's answer to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

AI-Powered digital Assistants

Simultaneously, other industry players, including Amazon, are also shifting their focus towards generative AI powered tools. They are leveraging AI to enhance their virtual assistants, with Amazon reportedly working on AI upgrades for Alexa, its longtime digital assistant. This move reflects the broader trend of tech giants stepping back from their traditional digital assistant work and moving towards AI-driven capabilities.