Google has announced plans to phase out Google Assistant in favour of Gemini, its AI-powered digital assistant, marking a major shift in its approach to virtual assistants.
In a blog post, the tech giant highlighted the growing impact of generative AI on user interactions with technology, positioning Gemini as a more advanced and capable replacement for Google Assistant.
“Over the coming months, we’re upgrading more users on mobile devices from Google Assistant to Gemini, and later this year, the classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices or available for new downloads on mobile app stores,” the company stated.
Google emphasised that AI-powered enhancements will make assistants more useful, integrating deeper personalisation, and smarter app interactions.
Millions of users have already transitioned from Assistant to Gemini, with positive feedback on its capabilities.
The migration will be gradual, starting with mobile devices before expanding to other platforms.
Google also plans to introduce a Gemini-powered experience for home devices, including smart speakers, displays, and TVs, with further details to be announced in the coming months. Until then, Google Assistant will continue to function on these devices.
“We believe an assistant should be personal to you, aware of the world around you, and able to interact with the apps and services you already use. Nearly a decade later, we’re in the midst of another platform shift—this time, generative AI is transforming the way we interact with technology,” the company stated.
In addition to mobile phones, Gemini will extend to tablets, cars, headphones, and smartwatches. However, older Android devices running Android 9 or earlier, or those with less than 2GB of RAM, will not be required to upgrade. Instead, they will retain access to Google Assistant, likely due to hardware limitations that may prevent optimal performance of Gemini’s AI-powered features.
With this transition, Google aims to redefine digital assistance, offering users a more intuitive and efficient AI-powered experience across multiple devices.
