In the breakneck race to dominate generative AI, Google is revving its engines. On Thursday, the company announced a major upgrade to its Gemini AI app, introducing Gemini 2.0 Flash—a faster, sleeker version of its flagship AI model designed to deliver lightning-quick responses while maintaining accuracy. Paired with an overhaul of its image-generation tool using Imagen 3, Google is betting that speed and precision will win over users in an increasingly crowded market.

Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash, rolling out now to web and mobile apps, promises to tackle everyday tasks like brainstorming, writing, and learning with what the company calls “significantly faster” performance. According to a blog post, the update “delivers fast responses and stronger performance across a number of key benchmarks.” While Google hasn’t disclosed specific metrics, benchmarks typically measure factors like response time, accuracy, and how well models handle complex queries.

This isn’t just about raw speed, though. Gemini 2.0 Flash builds on the foundation of its predecessor, Gemini 1.5 Pro, which is a more powerful but slower model. Flash, by contrast, is optimized for efficiency—think of it as the “sprinters” of AI models, ideal for quick-turn tasks like drafting emails or summarizing articles. For now, Google says users can still toggle between Gemini 1.5 Flash and 1.5 Pro for “the next few weeks,” giving them time to adjust to the new default.

The push for faster AI isn’t just a technical flex—it’s a strategic move. Competitors like OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Anthropic’s Claude have emphasized balancing speed with capability, particularly for mobile users who need real-time assistance. Google’s Flash 2.0 seems tailored for this audience, enabling smoother interactions on smartphones where latency can frustrate users.

Google first teased Gemini 2.0 in December 2023, calling it a “next-generation” model that would eventually power its products. The experimental version of Flash 2.0, tested by early users, reportedly showed marked improvements in following nuanced instructions and reducing errors.

Alongside the Gemini update, Google unveiled a major boost to its AI image generator. Gemini’s visual tools now run on Imagen 3, the latest iteration of Google’s text-to-image model. The company claims it delivers “richer details and textures” and adheres more closely to user prompts.