Google reveals AI ‘reasoning’ model that ‘explicitly shows its thoughts’

Illustration: The Verge

Google has introduced a new AI reasoning" model capable of answering complex questions while also providing a rundown of its thoughts," as reported earlier by TechCrunch. The model, called Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, is still experimental and will likely compete with OpenAI's o1 reasoning model.

In a post on X, Google DeepMind chief scientist Jeff Dean says the model is trained to use thoughts to strengthen its reasoning," and also benefits from the speed that comes along with the faster Gemini Flash 2.0 model. The demo shared by Dean shows how Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking goes about answering a physics problem by thinking" through a series of steps before offering a solution.

Want to see Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking in action? Check out this demo where the model solves a physics problem and explains its reasoning. pic.twitter.com/Nl0hYj7ZFS

- Jeff Dean (@JeffDean) December 19, 2024

This isn't necessarily reasoning" in the way humans perform it, but it means the machine breaks down instructions into smaller tasks that can produce stronger outcomes.

Another example, posted by Google product lead Logan Kilpatrick, shows the model reasoning its way through a problem that involves both visual and textual elements. This is just the first step in our reasoning journey," Kilpatrick says. You can try out Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking on Google's AI Studio.

There have been quite a few notable updates in the AI space as of late, with Google revealing its upgraded Gemini 2.0 model earlier this month as part of the company's push into agentic" AI. Meanwhile, OpenAI made the full version of its o1 reasoning model available to ChatGPT subscribers.