Google's Gemini Project seeks your search history data, yet I've chosen to withhold mine.
Alrighty, let's chat about Google's latest move! Google's been generous recently, as they've launched a bunch of Gemini features previously locked behind a paywall for free users. Now, you can use Gemini's custom chatbots, Deep Research, and upload files to Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, regardless if you're shelling out for Google's AI services or not.
But there's more: Google introduced an experimental feature for Gemini named "Personalized Gemini." Thisreckon it runs on Google's Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking model and links Gemini to your Google apps and services. The target's for a more personalized AI assistant, as it'll know more about you and dish out results that suit your preferences.
This move echoes big tech companies' advertising of AI being personalized and tailored. However, to make this feature work, you'll need to connect your search history to Gemini, which is a chunk of trust to bestow upon Google's AI service. That's a dicey situation for those who worry about the extent we're dishing out data to these AI platforms.
So, what's up with this Personalization model?
Google offers a glimpse into how this new service could enhance your Gemini experience. Imagine asking the bot where to go on holiday, and instead of fetching information about popular tourist spots, the bot could theoretically focus on destinations it thinks you'd prefer, based on past searches. For example, if you've been checking out pictures of the Bahamas or St. Lucia, the bot might pellet out search results related to tropical getaways. Or if you're curious about hobbies, you might see recommendations based on your previous searches.
Don't get me wrong; I'm all for that customized AI assistant. But doesn't it strike you as peculiar? If you're already searching for vacation spots and hobbies, wouldn't you be able to pick your own choices? For now, the bot seems to be dispensing suggestions based on past searches, which doesn't feel like a groundbreaking advancement.
On Google's part, this isn't some sneaky scheme. To use the feature, you'll need to opt-in to connect your search history to Gemini. And surprisingly, that's a refreshing change; Google isn't forcing you to opt-out.
Because it's a "thinking" model, you'll get to view the entire thought process behind the results. As a result, Google claims you'll be privy to the personal information Gemini used to generate its answer, such as saved info, past conversations, or search history. Plus, Gemini won't rummage through your search history unless you specifically enable the personalization feature. (You'll also require Google's "Web & App Activity" setting to be turned on.) Rest assured, using this feature doesn't mean Gemini will scan your search history every time you use it. If you use the regular Gemini 2.0 Flash model, it won't reference this personal data for its answer-only if you switch to "Personalization."
To connect or not to connect your search history to Gemini?
Here's my two cents: I ain't linking my search history to Gemini-not yet, anyway. This feature is experimental, so it's not the complete product Google's cooking up. (The company plans to connect Photos and YouTube data in the future, for instance.) Even if the feature was fully realized, I'm not comfortable with sharing my personal search history with Google's AI.
I'm fully aware Google already has access to my search history (though turning off "Web & App Activity" should limit data exposure). Still, it's not about that. I'm quite uneasy about training Google's AI on my search history, which is essentially what's happening here. While the idea of providing users more personalized results from AI bots sounds intriguing, if I opt-in to this feature, I'm essentially giving Google a free training session using my personal information. In a nutshell, Google is asking for you to disclose this data not just with Gemini, but with the entire company as well.
Google might have the purest intentions regarding privacy, but even so, I follow a simple rule when it comes to AI and private information: keep your secrets to yourself. If you wouldn't want a human reviewer at Google snooping around your search history, it's best not to share it with Gemini in the first place. I've always applied this rule to proprietary company information or deeply personal stuff, but search history can also be private. Are you prepared to reveal all your searches, just to have a bit more personalized Gemini results - that might end up being incorrect anyway?
The Personalized Gemini model on Google's Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking model offers a potential enhancement for chatbot personalization by tailoring results based on search history. However, this feature requires users to opt-in to connect their search history, which raises concerns about privacy and data disclosure. While the benefits of a more personalized AI assistant are intriguing, the potential risks of training Google's AI on user search history may outweigh the advantages, prompting users to carefully consider whether to connect their search history to Gemini.
