With 'Personal Intelligence,' Google finally admits how much it knows about you. It's scary-good.

This week, Google unveiled an impressive new enhancement to its Search AI Mode, known as Personal Intelligence. This innovative feature integrates various existing services into a cohesive tool that significantly enhances user experience. Recently tested by Business Insider's Pranav Dixit, Personal Intelligence left a lasting impression, feeling as though Google had meticulously documented his life and was now sharing these insights. With user consent, Gemini, Google's AI chatbot, can access data from Google accounts, including Gmail, Photos, Search history, and YouTube. This allows it to provide responses akin to those of a human assistant, yet with the advantage of having a detailed history of user interactions. Since the surge of AI chatbots in late 2022, users have longed for a system that remembers their context. While competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic have enabled their bots to connect to services, Google boasts a unique advantage with its extensive database of user activities. Gemini's capacity to synthesize information is remarkably effective, offering tailored suggestions based on past interactions. For instance, when asked for sightseeing options for parents familiar with the Bay Area, it proposed unique museums and gardens, accurately deducing that they had already explored more common hiking trails. The AI explained that it made these inferences from various 'breadcrumbs' left in the user's Google account, including family emails, photos, and previous searches. Recognizing the potential concerns around privacy, Google is proactively addressing these issues. VP Josh Woodward emphasized that measures are in place to filter and obscure personal data during interactions with Gemini. The AI can even retrieve specific information, such as a user’s license plate number or renewal dates for car insurance, based on the data available in their Google accounts. Gemini’s capabilities extend to planning trips, where it factors in details like traveling with an infant, showcasing its understanding of the user’s life changes. This development reflects the vision many AI companies aspire to achieve. Last year, Meta shifted focus from the metaverse to creating a 'personal superintelligence' that deeply understands users and aids in realizing their goals. With significant investments in AI technology, they aim to create a system that interacts seamlessly with daily life, yet they lack the digital footprint that Google possesses. As Meta envisions a future of personal superintelligence, Google appears to have already delivered it. This advancement marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of AI, setting a new standard for personalized assistance.