“Get with it or fall behind.”

Recently, on the television show, The View, commentator, Sonny Hostin, emphasized what Bill Gates said about AI, “Get with it or fall behind.”(1) This is from one of the guys who actually created the technology that allows you to hold a mini-computer (smart phone) in your hand, and no one thinks that is a bad thing. But I am amazed when I speak with my cohorts about artificial intelligence, that their response to it is overtly negative. 

This makes me wonder what is REALLY happening in their thought process. Could it be that because you have to “opt in" to artificial intelligence --- it’s not as easy to use? In the past when you learned how to use your smartphone, did you ever think about all of the negative things that we now know about smartphones. Probably not. 

Do you ever use Google Chrome and ask yourself if your query is being answered by AI? Well, according to Google Gemini (Google’s AI app) --- the short answer is no, just using Google Chrome does not mean you are automatically using Google Gemini. 

Gemini says, “Think of Google Chrome like you do a car, and Google Gemini is a specific feature in the car, which you can choose to use or not. Simply driving a car doesn’t mean you’re using that feature.” (2) 

BUT, while Chrome itself isn't Google Gemini, it has integrated its artificial intelligence into the browser response in a few specific ways: 

• The Address Bar (Omnibox): If you type @gemini into the Chrome address bar followed by a prompt, it will route your question directly to the Gemini web app. 
• Side Panel Feature: Chrome features a side panel icon (near your profile picture) that allows you to open a Gemini chat window directly next to the webpage you are viewing. 
• "Help me write": If you right-click in a text box on a website and select "Help me write," Chrome uses Gemini to help you draft text.
• Tab Organizer: If you right-click a tab and select "Organize similar tabs," Chrome uses built-in AI to group your open pages. (3) 

I think knowing that those scenarios do exist may change people's opinion of AI, or it just makes sense to follow the technology. Initially, as we move forward with AI it is probably going to be integrated into all browsers. It’s just going to happen. 

At the moment Microsoft has positioned Copilot with its browser, Edge. They feature Microsoft Copilot (formerly Bing Chat) to be built directly into the sidebar, allowing the user to summarize long articles, generate text, and gives you instant indicators to pursue further information without leaving your current tab. (4) 

I had Google Gemini read the original version of this blog and it made the following addition: “While using Gemini directly is an opt-in scenario, tech giants are already injecting backend AI into your standard search results whether you open the side panel or not." (5) 

Finally, as you can see from the above title image --- Google's Chrome Browser now has an indicator (AI Mode, to the right of the address bar), and that allows the browser to include Google Gemini AI comments through your inquiries. 

So, Bill Gates may be right, and honestly, you probably won’t really have any choice once all of the AI Generators rid themselves of all hallucinations. 

 (See my previous blog from August 18, 2024 for a definition of AI Hallucinations: https://techno-travels.blogspot.com/2024/08/what-are-ai-hallucinations-ai.html 

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(1) The View, May 21, 2026, episode. 

(2) Source Google Gemini, May 21, 2026 

(3) Source Google Gemini, May 20, 2026 

(4) Source Google Gemini, May 21, 2026 

(5) Source Google Gemini, May 22, 2026