What is Google Gemini?

KKahu team·Updated 2 Oct 2026·5 min read

Quick answer

Google Gemini is Google’s AI assistant, and also the name of the AI models behind it. You use it on the web or in the Gemini app to write, summarise, research, create images and talk things through by voice. It has a free plan, and Google’s paid AI plans and Workspace business plans add Gemini inside Gmail, Docs and other Google apps.

Gemini in plain English

Gemini is Google’s answer to ChatGPT. It started in 2023 under the name Bard and was renamed Gemini. Google describes it as an interface to a multimodal model, which means it handles text, images, audio and more. You ask in everyday language and it writes, explains or creates in reply.

What it can do

Write and rewrite emails, posts and documents.
Summarise long files you upload.
Create and edit images.
Run Deep Research, which browses many websites and, if you allow it, your Gmail and Drive, and writes a report.
Hold a spoken conversation with Gemini Live.
Shape drafts and reports into interactive content in Canvas.
Save reusable instructions as Gems, so repeat jobs start the same way.

The plans

Plan	Who it is for	What it adds
Free	Anyone with a Google Account	The Gemini app with image creation, Deep Research, Gemini Live and Canvas, with limits
Google AI Plus	Light paid use	Higher limits than free and Gemini in Gmail and other Google apps
Google AI Pro	Regular individual use	Higher limits again, Gemini in Gmail and Docs, and more storage
Google AI Ultra	Heavy use	The highest limits and first access to new features
Google Workspace and Gemini Enterprise	Businesses and teams	Gemini at work with admin controls; company data not used to train models

Prices and availability vary by country, so check Google’s plans page for yours. Availability of some features also differs by country and language.

Where Kahu fitsKahu AssistKahu Assist is an AI agent that runs your website, marketing, bookings and follow-ups from one chat, and asks before anything goes live. You keep the yes; it does the typing.

Connects to your site, WhatsApp, calendar and email

Asks before anything goes live

Set up from one 15-minute chatSee Kahu Assist →Fill Thursday’s empty slots and let the cafe know the new brunch hours.

Kahu · 3 actions ready

Two Thursday gaps at 11:00 and 14:30. Drafted messages to 6 waitlisted customers.

Updated the hours on your site and Google profile to Sat–Sun 8–2.

One post about the new hours, using your Sunday counter photo.ChangeApprove all

How it fits a small business

If your email, files and calendar already live in Google, Gemini sits close to your work. Google’s Workspace page describes summarising email threads and drafting replies in Gmail, first drafts in Docs, notes from Meet calls and building simple automated flows. For drafting customer replies, keep a person reading and sending each one.

Privacy settings to check

1Find Keep ActivityOn personal accounts this setting controls whether your chats are saved and used to improve Google’s AI.
2Know about human reviewGoogle says some chats are read by trained reviewers and advises not to enter confidential information.
3Use a work account for workOn Google Workspace business plans, Google says company data is not used to train its models.

Frequently asked questions

Is Google Gemini free?

Yes. The Gemini app has a free plan with a Google Account. Paid plans raise limits and add Gemini inside Google apps.

Does Gemini work on my phone?

Yes. There is a Gemini mobile app as well as the web version, though Google notes some features differ between them.

Is Gemini safe for business information?

Use a Workspace business plan for work data. On personal accounts, check Keep Activity and avoid entering confidential details.