#2 Minds & Machines: Gemini Advanced, my digital twin and ChatGPT Memory
Plus, the power of the inner smile and a call to rest
Image generated on Midjourney
Hello there,
I hope you’re having a good week.
Has anyone else noticed how quickly AI is changing at the moment?
I seem to be editing my talk and workshop slides more than ever. A couple of weeks ago it was changing Bard to Gemini – this week it’s removing ChatGPT plugins and noting the arrival of Claude 3. It’s all go.
The good thing is, there’s always something new to explore and share (hence this newsletter).
Over the next few weeks, I’m also delivering sessions in a range of places, from a local college to a founders meet-up and copywriting network. It’s exciting.
I’ve also just had an in-depth AI chat on the DMI podcast for International Women’s Day. Watch this space. :)
What’s inside this edition:
🤖 AI News and Views
How to decide if Gemini Advanced is worth the cost
OpenAI gives ChatGPT a memory
Goodbye ChatGPT plugins
My spotty digital twin
💛 The Human Element
The power of a smile
A peek into my garage
Why rest is a radical act
🤖 AI News & Views
AI tools, techniques and discoveries to help you with your content creation
How to decide if Gemini Advanced is worth £18.99 pm
I promised you I’d explore Gemini Advanced, so I did. In fact, I wrote a blog about it.
My question: how does it compare to Gemini’s free option – and is it worth the £18.99 a month price tag?
Here’s a quick rundown for you.
What extras come with Gemini Advanced?
Advanced is powered by 1.0 Ultra, which is Google’s most capable model yet.
You’ll Gemini in your email, Google Docs and Sheets.
It comes with 2TB of Google One Storage.
How is it for image generation?
Well, I can’t answer this at the moment as Google “paused” image generation at the end of February after its model generated misleading images of people’s races in historical contexts. Once it’s back, I’ll add in my thoughts.
How is it for text generation?
I’ve tried out a range of prompts – you can see two simple ones in my blog.
Here’s the TL:DR version if you’re short on time:
Advanced delivers a more nuanced copy tone.
When you ask it for several options, it won’t just give you three different versions, it will give you different ‘angles’ – which is handy.
In one of my prompts, the free version came back with bullet points, while the Advanced adopted a more intelligent sentence-based structure.
Gemini Advanced often gives you extras like tips or different names for products.
My thoughts
It’s hard to assess a model after a few tests. These things take time and plenty of exploration. After my short investigation, I’d say:
If you want Gemini in your Google Docs, more nuanced outputs and a boost to your Google One storage, then this could be a great option for you.
However, if Google’s wider eco system isn’t a necessity, the free version might just do the job.
You can try Gemini Advanced free for two months and see what you think.
OpenAI gives ChatGPT a memory
Image generated on Midjourney
ChatGPT can remember information in one chat. But as soon as you leave that chat and start a new one, you’re back at square one.
If you’re fed up with copying and pasting blueprints, or telling it what you want over and over again, the new “memory” feature might be a welcome arrival.
This new addition, which is rolling out slowly, will allow ChatGPT to remember the things you discuss across all chats. So, you don’t have to keep repeating yourself.
The example in OpenAI’s blog is this: “You’ve told ChatGPT you own a neighborhood coffee shop. When brainstorming messaging for a social post celebrating a new location, ChatGPT knows where to start.”
Creating and deleting memories
You can tell ChatGPT to remember something specifically, ask it what it remembers, and remove memories through your conversations. You can also delete memories in the settings (see below).
My thoughts
If you’re using ChatGPT as a personal tool, this will make a great addition.
But if you’re working on multiple projects, managing different writing tones and target audiences, or sharing an account, this could be a faff. Personally, I don’t want to be deleting or re-instating memories for different jobs.
That said, this new feature hasn’t actually arrived on my Plus account yet. So, maybe I’m being a bit judgy. I’ll give it a go when it lands, and let you know if I change my mind.
Goodbye ChatGPT plugins
Created on Sticker Whizz
Ahhh, no more choosing which three boxes to tick. This month, ChatGPT plugins are being phased out.
From March 19th, you won’t be able to install new plugins or create new conversations with existing plugins. And from April 9th ChatGPT plugins will be gone.
Don’t worry though, all is not lost. You have a whole GPT store to explore. If you’re a Plus subscriber, you’ve probably already seen some of the GPTs on offer.
I’m a big fan of Ask Your PDF and Consensus for research. Oh and Sticker Whizz – I mean, who doesn’t love a die-cut sticker of dogs at the seaside?
I’ll go into GPTs in more detail next time, but I think there are lots of opportunities here. You get all the benefits of ChatGPT, but with a much more specific and customised output.
Plus, if your GPT is good, you can use it to reach new customers and direct them to your website.
👁️ AI that caught my eye
My AI picks from across the web
Gartner predicts that by 2026, websites might get 25% less traffic from search engines like Google because of chatbots and virtual agents. See the press release here.
If you’re interested in using Gemini within the Google ecosystem, you may find this article useful. Full disclosure: I’ve not tried it yet.
Obviously my confirmation bias loves this news. Pencil shows that the AI-human combination is a winner (although the research is very small).
I’m a big fan of Claude. I like their more ethical approach – and the model’s default tone is great for copywriters. They’ve just announced the arrival of Claude 3. I can’t wait to try it out.
🤖 Err, what?
Funny/unsettling outputs and discoveries from my AI adventures
OK, so today I’m delivering a workshop to young people on the potential and pitfalls of GenAI.
In a bid to make my point, I made this AI avatar of me, including an AI-generated voice, using HeyGen. You can create an avatar in a few minutes, type a script and then ask ‘yourself’ to deliver it (you’ll have to pay for one month though).
It’s fascinating and freaky. But it also left me feeling uncomfortable.
The fact my mouth can say anything – and that I look like me – highlights just how easy it is to skew the truth. As AI becomes more democratised and elections loom, we must question what we see – and what we believe.
No makeup and a big zit on my chin – keeping it real.
💛 The Human Element
A celebration of our wild minds and creative souls
The benefits of a smile
Image: Jamie Brown, Unsplash
One of my favourite meditation teachers is Tara Brach. I often listen to her online offerings if my brain is too busy for silence.
In many of her meditations, she invites an inner smile, which she says affects the nervous system. This concept has intrigued me for months, so I did a bit of research.
Here are three lovely benefits you get from smiling (inside and out):
1. A smile releases feel-good neurotransmitters
When you smile, your brain releases neuropeptides (tiny molecules) which can help fend off stress. As well as the feel-good neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. All of these are pretty handy in helping you feel more relaxed and content.
2. A smile can be an act of self-care
The inner smile is a technique referenced in yoga, mindfulness and Taoist practices. Rather than smiling outwardly to others, this is a smile inward to yourself. It’s believed an inner smile can create calm and self-compassion.
This quote from Taoist teacher Mantak Chia sums it up nicely: “Smiling to yourself is like basking in love: you become your own best friend. Living with an inner smile is to live in harmony with yourself.”
You can listen to one of Tara Brach’s smile meditations here.
3. A smile causes a positive ripple effect
Like a yawn, a smile is contagious. As well as the benefits for you, sharing a smile can create a positive effect on those around you. By extending a smile you can help people feel cared for or ‘seen’.
Smiling is a universal language. It allows you to give compassion to others without saying a word. I love that.
Rest is a radical act. Be more radical
Image generated on Midjourney
Society celebrates busy. If we’re busy, we’re supposedly doing well. Our businesses are successful. We’re in demand.
But despite this, busy isn’t always best. At least not for me.
A few years ago, I was always busy. I worked almost every evening and weekend. If I wasn’t contributing to the business, I felt guilty. Rest didn’t feel like an option. And when it was, it had to be earned.
Needless to say, I ended up in a bit of a pickle. Tired, burnt out, sat in a chair opposite my doctor.
It was then I started meditation and making time to journal, walk and actually stop.
My kids were young back then, so I’d take a cushion into my garage first thing in the morning and sit quietly.
It didn’t look like anything like an Instagram photo. No forefingers and thumbs were touching – and there was certainly no sunset. But it helped. It still does.
My garage, 2020. I won't show you what it looks like now!
Over the last few years I’ve come to realise that rest doesn’t need to be earned. It’s a necessity.
When we’re rested, we’re more productive, creative, patient and compassionate. We feel more alive.
In today’s fast-paced world, rest is a radical act. It’s a rebellion against the hustle. A finger up to all those who want us to keep pushing – even at the expense of our own wellbeing.
So here’s my ask: let’s be more radical, please.
If you fancy resting for a weekend in the woods, there are two spaces left on my Glow Retreat in June with the amazing Carolyn Thompson.
Here you can do as much or as little as you want. Throw yourself into the creativity and movement. Or nap until your heart’s content. It’s totally up to you.
This is your time to rest – and be wonderfully, joyfully radical.
🖊️ The Analogue Antidote
A writing prompt to ponder with pen and paper
This week’s prompt is inspired by my smile investigations.
When was the last time you smiled and really meant it? What caused this smile and how did it make you feel in your body and mind? What does this tell you about your sources of happiness?
☀️ Upcoming Adventures
My upcoming talks, workshops and events
Spring Equinox Women’s circle: Writing in the Woods
Glow Retreat: a summer weekend women’s retreat in the woods. Make time to move, rest and rediscover your creative self.
A funded workshop at The Growth Hub: How to Market your Business using AI
ProCopywriters webinar: AI for Copywriters: an Introduction