SAN JOSE: Google has unveiled its latest generation of its Gemini AI with a new ability to function as a more capable assistant, able to independently perform tasks like assembling components for hobby projects from online stores.

The tech firm made the announcement from its headquarters in California on the anniversary of the first Gemini launch.

Google stated that while the system can add items to shopping carts, final purchasing decisions will remain with the user, ensuring full control over transactions.

Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said that the first generation of Gemini 1.0 was about organizing and understanding information.

"Gemini 2.0 is about making it much more useful," Pichai said.

The new AI-powered assistants are part of Project Mariner, a system that integrates advanced capabilities, including tool usage and direct access to Google products like search.

It can even execute program code, creating what Google describes as agents that think, remember, plan and even take action on behalf of users, according to Google manager Tulsee Doshi.

Project Mariner therefore behaves exactly as human users would in a browser, Doshi said. However, the system also identifies a number of tasks that the agent should not perform on behalf of a user.

Before its public rollout, the system will undergo testing with select users, she added.

Google is also advancing Project Astra, first presented at the Google I/O developer conference last spring, which leverages Gemini 2.0 for enhanced environmental interaction via smart glasses.

Similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban collaboration, these glasses aim to provide contextual assistance, such as identifying landmarks or aiding in cooking.

The Gemini Flash system variant is especially valuable for software developers creating solutions based on Google AI. It can run on large data centre computers as well as locally on personal computers and select smartphone models.

On Wednesday, Google unveiled Gemini Flash 2.0, which according to the the company, delivers enhanced performance while maintaining fast response times.

 – dpa