Google has launched Gemini 2.0, its most advanced generative artificial intelligence model yet, marking a shift from information retrieval to action-oriented "agentic" AI – systems that can think, plan, and take action on users' behalf.
Sundar Pichai, chief executive of Google’s parent firm Alphabet, said Gemini 2.0 is the company’s “most capable [AI] model yet” and brings the company closer to its aim of building a “universal assistant”.
Unlike its predecessor, Gemini 1.0, which focused on organising and understanding information, Gemini 2.0 introduces agentic AI.
Agentic AIs are systems that can take initiative, make decisions, and perform actions on behalf of users, guided by human input and supervision. An agentic AI could automatically book a hotel, suggest activities, make dinner reservations, and provide a schedule – all based on users’ past preferences.
“Over the last year, we have been investing in developing more agentic models, meaning they can understand more about the world around you, think multiple steps ahead, and take action on your behalf, with your supervision,” Mr Pichai said.
The approach allows AI to make decisions, execute multi-step instructions and use tools like Google Search, Lens, and Maps. It can generate multimodal outputs, such as text, images, and audio, and integrate with the company’s other products like Project Astra, a universal AI assistant, and Project Mariner, a browser-based task manager, Google said.
We have been investing in developing more agentic models, meaning they can understand more about the world around you, think multiple steps ahead, and take action on your behalf
Sundar Pichai,
Google CEO
Millions of developers are now using Gemini, helping the company to improve its products – Search, YouTube, Android, Chrome, Google Play, Gmail and Google Maps, which are together used by about 2 billion users globally, Mr Pichai added.
Previously known as Bard, Gemini is designed to support users in various tasks, from conversational interactions to creative projects. It leverages advanced machine learning and natural language processing technologies, making it a direct competitor to platforms such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot.
This month also marks one year since Google launched its Gemini 1.0 AI model in December in a direct response to Microsoft-backed ChatGPT.
On Wednesday, Google also launched a feature called Deep Research, which uses advanced reasoning and long context capabilities to act as a research assistant. It will be useful in handling complex topics and compiling long reports on users’ behalf, Mr Pichai said.
Following the announcement, Alphabet's share price jumped more than 5.46 per cent to close at $196.71 on Wednesday, giving the company a market capitalisation of $2.53 trillion.
Gemini 2.0 availability
Gemini 2.0 Flash, a testable version of Gemini 2, was made available to developers a few weeks ago for building and testing apps and to collect initial feedback.
From Wednesday, Gemini users worldwide can access a chat-friendly version of 2.0 Flash by selecting it from the model menu on desktop and mobile browsers. It will also be available in the Gemini mobile app soon.
Demis Hassabis, chief executive of Google DeepMind, an AI research lab that is building systems that can reason, learn, and solve complex problems, said the company will expand Gemini 2.0 to more Google products next year.
“Our goal is to get our models into people’s hands safely and quickly,” he added.
As a next step, the company will integrate Gemini 2.0 into Google AI Overviews to tackle more complex topics and multi-step questions, including advanced maths equations and coding. It started limited testing this week and will be rolling it out more broadly early next year.
Introduced in May, AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results, providing additional information on complex queries.
Privacy concerns with AI agents
Google said it is “mindful of privacy” while designing its AI agents.
“We prioritise protecting users' data … this includes leveraging industry-leading security infrastructure. We ensure users have full transparency, allowing them [users] to see what data is being collected, delete it if they choose,” Dawn Bloxwich, director of responsible development and innovation at Google DeepMind.
Ms Bloxwich said users can also monitor if any third-party apps are accessing their information and they can opt out.
“We recognise … the many questions AI agents open up for safety and security. That is why we are … conducting research on multiple prototypes, iteratively implementing safety training, working with trusted testers and external experts and performing extensive risk assessments and safety and assurance evaluations, Mr Hassabis said.
Google said it is working with its responsibility and safety committee, an internal review group, to identify and understand potential risks. Gemini 2.0's reasoning capabilities have enabled it to detect risks and automatically generate evaluations and training data to mitigate them, the company said.
What's Gemini’s contribution to Google’s profits?
Despite significant investments, Gemini has yet to show any significant contribution to the company's sales.
Google services business accounted for about 86.6 per cent of the company’s total sales in the third quarter of this year. It added about $76.5 billion to overall revenue, about 12.5 per cent more on an annual basis. The company did not disclose the contribution of Gemini.
To quantify the contribution, in October Google announced that the Gemini app team, currently within the Google Services division, will join the AI research lab DeepMind.
In October, Google also announced the creation of the AI Opportunity Initiative for the Middle East and North Africa region, through which it will contribute $15 million until the end of 2027 to help AI opportunities reach more industries and a wider range of users.
However, industry analysts said there is a scope in the long-run given the size of the industry.
The global generative AI market size, estimated at $16.87 billion this year, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 37.6 per cent from 2025 to 2030, according to Grand View Research.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
More coverage from the Future Forum
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Fixtures
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWednesday%2C%20April%203%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EArsenal%20v%20Luton%20Town%2C%2010.30pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EManchester%20City%20v%20Aston%20Villa%2C%2011.15pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EThursday%2C%20April%204%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ELiverpool%20v%20Sheffield%20United%2C%2010.30pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Stage results
1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:39:05
2. Michael Matthews (AUS) Team BikeExchange 0:00:08
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma same time
4. Jack Haig (AUS) Bahrain Victorious s.t
5. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t
6. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates s.t
7. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ s.t
8. Sergio Higuita Garcia (COL) EF Education-Nippo s.t
9. Bauke Mollema (NED) Trek-Segafredo s.t
10. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers s.t
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The biog
Age: 46
Number of Children: Four
Hobby: Reading history books
Loves: Sports
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20front-axle%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E218hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20touring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E402km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh215%2C000%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The years Ramadan fell in May
The years Ramadan fell in May
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
RESULTS
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $49,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.05pm Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner El Patriota, Vagner Leal, Antonio Cintra
7.40pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,000m
Winner Ya Hayati, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm Cape Verdi – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Althiqa, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Soft Whisper, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Bedouin’s Story, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
