Introduction to Gemini’s New Features
As Gemini is increasingly woven into the fabric of Google, the way the chatbot accesses and interacts with your data is in a constant state of flux. Today, Google is announcing several big changes to how its AI adapts to you, giving it the ability to remember more details about your chats for improved answers. If that’s a concern, Google also has a new temporary chat option that won’t affect the way Gemini thinks about you.
What is Personal Context?
You might recall several months back when Google added a "personalization" option to the Gemini model selector. This mode leaned on your Google search history to customize responses, a feature that did not seem to appeal to many Gemini users. Google later dropped that mode, but a new attempt at customization is now rolling out. Gemini is getting an option called Personal Context. When enabled, the chatbot will remember details about your past conversations, adapting its replies without being specifically prompted.
How Personal Context Works
Google claims Personal Context will produce more relevant responses, particularly when you ask the chatbot to make recommendations. This is separate from the saved instructions feature, which allows you to provide explicit instructions for Gemini to be used in crafting outputs. This does have the potential to make Gemini feel more engaging, but that’s not always a good thing. AI chatbots that get too friendly with the user can reinforce misconceptions and lead to delusional thinking, something we’ve seen distressingly often with AI models.
Availability of Personal Context
To start, this feature will be available with the Gemini 2.5 Pro model, but you won’t get customization in the European Union, the UK, or Switzerland. It’s also limited to users over the age of 18. Google says it will eventually release this feature in additional regions and with support for the more efficient Gemini 2.5 Flash model. You can turn Personal Context on and off at will from the main settings page.
Conclusion
Google’s new Personal Context feature for Gemini has the potential to make the chatbot more engaging and relevant, but it also raises concerns about privacy and the potential for AI chatbots to reinforce misconceptions. As with any new technology, it’s essential to weigh the benefits and risks and use these features responsibly.
FAQs
Q: What is Personal Context in Gemini?
A: Personal Context is a new feature in Gemini that allows the chatbot to remember details about your past conversations and adapt its replies accordingly.
Q: Is Personal Context available in all regions?
A: No, Personal Context is currently only available in certain regions and is limited to users over the age of 18.
Q: Can I turn Personal Context on and off?
A: Yes, you can turn Personal Context on and off at will from the main settings page.
Q: What are the potential risks of using Personal Context?
A: The potential risks of using Personal Context include the reinforcement of misconceptions and the potential for AI chatbots to lead to delusional thinking.
