Google is preparing to take its Gemini artificial intelligence assistant significantly further with the introduction of Proactive Assistance, a feature discovered within the latest version of the Google app that would allow Gemini to offer helpful information and contextual suggestions without the user needing to ask for them. The discovery was made by Android Authority while digging through the application’s code, revealing screen grabs that show the feature described as enabling users to receive personalised suggestions at the right time, drawing from three primary sources: what is currently displayed on the user’s screen, active notifications, and data from applications for which the user has granted the appropriate permissions.
Once enabled, Proactive Assistance would allow Gemini to surface reminders, insights, and contextual actions at moments when they are likely to be most relevant, functioning more like a genuinely aware assistant than a reactive chatbot waiting for a prompt. Users will be able to select which applications Gemini can reference for this service, including Contacts and Messages, with all data processing carried out entirely on the device within an encrypted environment, addressing what has been a consistent concern among users about cloud-based artificial intelligence assistants having access to sensitive personal information. There is no confirmed timeline yet for when Proactive Assistance will reach end users, though the feature appears to be in a close-to-finished state based on the code discovered.
In parallel, Google has separately confirmed that its Memories feature is now rolling out in the United Kingdom. The Memories setting allows Gemini to learn from past conversations, recalling the user’s preferences and interests to deliver more personalised responses over time. Google’s own example illustrates this clearly: if a user has previously expressed enthusiasm for a particular comic book character, Gemini can subsequently surface related birthday party theme ideas or gift suggestions without being explicitly asked. The feature can also draw on previously expressed book preferences to provide tailored reading recommendations. Memories is switched on by default within Gemini but can be disabled through the Settings menu, and users can manage or delete their conversation history through Gemini Apps Activity. Notably, Google has also added the ability to import memories from other artificial intelligence applications, either by generating a prompt from a competing service or by uploading a compressed file of chat history from another provider, which Gemini will then absorb and use to inform future recommendations.
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