Gemini
Principal function(s): AI conversational interactionGeneral-purpose AI assistantsIndividual workSpeakingWritingVocabularyGrammarTeacherStudentYou Supply
Gemini is a multimodal generative AI tool by Google. It can process and generate information across text, images, video, audio, and code. For language learning and academic purposes, it can be used as a conversational assistant that can provide step-by-step language tutoring, i.e. respond to queries about vocabulary, grammar, etc. For educators, it is integrated into Google Workspace for Education, offering specific features like lesson planning, quiz generation, and rubric creation directly within Google Docs and Classroom. It features different model tiers, including a free version (Gemini Flash) and paid versions (Gemini Advanced/Pro) with more advanced functionalities.
Evaluation: Gemini is a powerful all-rounder GenAI tool, able to handle multimodal inputs, from transcribing a lecture video to explaining an infographic or explaining the grammar cases in Bulgarian. Particularly useful can be its Gems section, that allows educators to personalize AI output through a prompt. As with all other AI tools, ethical, copyright, and environmental considerations should be taken into account.
Cost: Free + <a href="https://safety.google/intl/en_au/products/gemini/" target=”_blank”>paid options</a> available.
Website: https://gemini.google.com/
Categories
Skills
- Speaking
- Writing
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
Usability
Interface 
User-friendliness/complexity of the tool´s interface
Intuitive, easy to use.
Time efficiency Time needed for mastering the „how-to“ of the tool and a production of a task
Very high; Gemini can provide complex output in seconds.
Interface language(s) The number of languages in which the tool is currently available/adaptable to
Dozens of languages; set up as default device language.
Respect for privacy Does the tool require registration? Who can see my data? Can I remain anonymous?
Medium/low. For personal accounts, any chat data may be used to train Gemini’s AI models unless manually opted out, with a default data retention period of 18 months that can be changed to 3 months. Moreover, any conversation might be reviewed by human annotators for quality and hence retained for up to 3 years. However, for Google Workspace for Education users, Google provides "enterprise-grade" protection where data is not used to train models or human-reviewed without permission. So interactions stay within the institutional domain. Similar to other Google services, Google collects information about location, device, and interactions to provide and improve its services. It does not explicitly state compliance with the GDPR. See more here.
Saving work for future use Possiblity to save your or others´ work for reuse/reproduction
Yes, with an account.
Tailorability (If so, how?) Possibility of the tool to be used for a range of different activities (e.g. to what extent you can organize a project assignment with a central activity based on this tool)
High; Gemini can be used for diverse purposes in many languages.
Technical requirements
Installation required?
Not for the browser version; yes for the apps.
Compatibility/ Operating System
Any browser, any operating system.
Other technical requirements