Google’s New ‘Simplify’ Feature Aims to Make Complex Text More Accessible
Are you tired of struggling with overly complicated writing in technical documents, philosophical discussions, or meandering journalistic articles? Google has introduced a new feature called ‘Simplify’ in its iOS app to address this issue.
The ‘Simplify’ feature uses a pair of Gemini AI models working together to analyze and simplify complex text while maintaining its original meaning. Here’s how it works:
- Users select a block of text within the Google iOS app’s built-in browser
- They tap the ‘Simplify’ option
- The Gemini models assess the text’s readability and fidelity
- The system iteratively refines the text to improve clarity while preserving key information
Google’s research shows promising results, with a test involving 4,563 participants demonstrating that simplified text led to:
- 4% more accurate comprehension overall
- 15% improvement in understanding medical texts
- 6% improvement in financial documents
While the feature shows potential, Google acknowledges that AI errors can still occur, particularly with complex or jargon-filled content. The company is gradually rolling out ‘Simplify’ to iOS users, but has not yet announced plans for Android implementation.
This development represents an interesting application of AI in improving text readability, though some critics might view it as an iterative rather than revolutionary step. Nonetheless, it highlights Google’s ongoing efforts to leverage AI for enhancing user experience.
