Gemini: How a Bard mistake and a nod to NASA shaped Google’s new AI name

From the Bard blunder to the lab merger

In February 2023, under pressure from ChatGPT’s success, Google rushed the launch of its Bard chatbot. A wrong answer given during a public demo on the 6th went viral as a meme, wiping out 9% of Alphabet’s market value in a single trading day. This setback convinced CEO Sundar Pichai to finally carry out a long-delayed restructuring: merging the two rival AI teams, Google Brain and DeepMind, into one unit called Google DeepMind.

Double meaning: twins and the space program

The name chosen in 2023, Gemini, means “twins” in Latin and also refers to a constellation linked to Castor and Pollux, the twins of Greek mythology. For Google, the word symbolizes the union of the former Brain and DeepMind teams, who started working together on the new project.

The second inspiration comes from NASA. The Gemini Project, which ran from 1965 to 1968, tested technologies and techniques that later enabled the Apollo missions. Google saw this initiative as an example of an effort that serves as a bridge to something greater, which also influenced the name choice.

From Titan to Gemini

Before settling on the final name, Google’s main artificial intelligence was temporarily called Titan, the name of Saturn’s largest moon. Jeff Dean, one of the initiative’s technical leaders, didn’t approve of the choice.

Implications for Google’s AI ecosystem

Gemini was first mentioned at the 2023 Google I/O event and has since become the name for virtually all of the company’s AI resources, from search to Workspace and Pixel phones.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What was Gemini’s provisional name before launch?

  The project was temporarily called Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. Jeff Dean, the technical lead, didn’t like the option.

• Why did Google choose the name Gemini?

  The name represents the union of the former teams from Google Brain and DeepMind labs, explained Jeff Dean. The two research areas were merged in April 2023 to work on a single project.

• What does Gemini mean?

  Gemini means “twins” in Latin and also refers to a constellation linked to Castor and Pollux, twins from Greek mythology. For Google, the reference symbolized the two AI teams that started collaborating.

• What is the connection between Google’s Gemini and NASA?

  The name also refers to NASA’s Gemini Project, which ran from 1965 to 1968. Google saw this initiative as an example of a preparatory effort for something greater, similar to the space program that tested technologies used in the Apollo missions.

• How did the Bard mistake lead to the creation of Gemini?

  The Bard chatbot gave a wrong answer during a public demo on February 6, 2023, causing Alphabet’s market value to drop by 9% in one trading session. The incident sped up CEO Sundar Pichai’s decision to merge Google Brain and DeepMind into the Google DeepMind team.

• When did Google introduce the name Gemini?

  Gemini was first mentioned at the 2023 Google I/O event. Since then, the name has been used to identify the company’s AI resources in search, Workspace, and Pixel phones.