The AI landscape is changing fast… is such a clichéd thing to say… but here I am, telling you yet again…
“The AI landscape is changing fast.” 😩
In today’s episode of keeping up with AI advancements, I must tell you about Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro, its most advanced model yet.
Also: Gemini Pro 2.5 is a stunningly capable coding assistant – and a big threat to ChatGPT
It’s so good that I could only say, “I’m sorry, Google, I owe you an apology. I wasn’t familiar with your game.” I said that using my best Shaq impression. 🤭
In this article, I’ll explain what changed, why Gemini’s now part of my workflow, and how to use Gemini 2.5 Pro to improve your workflow and help you make more moola.
If you’re new to my work, my name is Lester, but feel free to call me Les. I’m a founder with a successful exit and an award-winning performance marketer.
These days, I’m focused on helping everyday people make sense of all the “AI is changing everything” mumbo jumbo.
Also: Will AI replace software engineers? It depends on who you ask
If you like data-driven marketing insights and staying up to date with practical ways to use AI, check out my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts.I break down what’s working in marketing and the AI innovations worth paying attention to. 🙏
But enough about me. Let’s discuss how Gemini earned a permanent place in my workflow and how it can help you in your daily grind.
What’s new with Gemini?
In case you were living under a rock (I had to use one more cliché, lol), Google rebranded Bard to Gemini. Bard started as Google’s attempt at a creative, conversational AI.
But at some point, Google must have watched a Tony Robbins video and decided to dream bigger, shifting from a simple chatbot to something way more ambitious.
Enter Gemini. 💪
Also: AI has grown beyond human knowledge, says Google’s DeepMind unit
This shift marks Google’s push to build one of the most advanced AI models, designed to power everything from search to productivity tools and beyond. It marks a shift from a chatbot with a personality to a complete, integrated AI ecosystem.
Basically, Google is out here working on its revenge body… 🤓☝️
This brings me to my point: what changed, and how did it convert me into a fan?
Let’s start with the announcement itself. Google introduced two new models: Gemini 2.5 Pro and Gemini 2.5 Flash.
Gemini 2.5 Pro is built for complex tasks like advanced reasoning, coding, and analyzing large documents. It supports a context window of up to 1 million tokens, with 2 million expected soon.
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Gemini 2.5 Flash is optimized for speed and cost efficiency. It’s designed for high-volume and real-time tasks like customer service and summarization. Both models now support multimodal input, including text, images, audio, and video. 👍
New features include:
- Manual Reasoning Control: Developers can adjust how much reasoning the model uses per task.
- Canvas: An interactive space in the Gemini app for editing documents and code.
- Live API: Enables real-time streaming input across text, audio, and video.
Gemini 2.5 is available through Google AI Studio, Vertex AI, and the Gemini app.
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These models are designed to “think” before they respond, aiming for better accuracy and more useful answers. It makes me wonder if Gemini had a chat with my mom. “Think before you speak” is one of her favorite lines. But I digress. 🤪
Let’s jump into why I’m using my Starbucks money for Gemini.
Why you should care
As I write this, I’m thinking about all the philosophical and humorous ways I can explain why you should care about this update.
But simply put… It’s just better.
It can help you analyze complex documents, code faster, summarize content, make sense of charts, etc. 📈
I remember using Bard “back in the day” and thinking this isn’t it, but Gemini 2.5 hits differently.
Also: 3 clever ChatGPT tricks that prove it’s still the AI to beat
I encourage you to try it out on the free tier. It’s limited but should give you a feel for what changed and how it could benefit you.
You should try it. I don’t say that lightly because I’m known for keeping a lean, cost-effective tech stack.
I’ll test random AI models, but I’m not paying for them, bruv.🙅♂️
The only model I’m currently paying for is ChatGPT, and I’m on the Pro plan simply because Operator is fire. I also pay for Perplexity because it’s really, really, really good and has replaced Google in my research workflow.
But guess who just made a surprising visit on my credit card statement?
You guessed it, Gemini! 🤗
If you want to see all the tools in my workflow, you should read this article, where I break down which AI tools you should use and why.
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The biggest hack for Gemini 2.5
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably down to give Gemini a try. But I’m sure you’re wondering how it can help you on a daily basis.
So, rather than give you some random hack you may or may not use, I want to share how to think about Gemini. Aka, I’m going to teach you how to fish instead of giving you a fish. 🎓
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We’re reaching the point where the biggest limit to AI might not be the technology but the user. In other words, your imagination could hold you back if you don’t know what to ask or how to use it effectively.
So, if there ever was a hack, this would be it. Making the most of AI requires imagination, clarity, and communication. 🧠
- Imagination is your ability to think of ways to use a tool or to ask for help.
- Clarity starts with knowing exactly what you want the outcome to look like. If you can visualize the result, you can guide the AI to get you there. Being a subject matter expert makes that even easier because you’ll know right away when something’s missing or doesn’t feel right.
- Communication is your ability to explain your vision to get the output you want.
The good news is that, while challenging, these skills can be learned and improved.
Let’s start with imagination. Ask yourself, “What’s the one task I hate doing every day?” Then, see if Gemini can do it faster or even start it for you.
Also: 7 ways to write better AI prompts – and get the results you want faster
Most importantly, don’t treat AI like a crutch. Treat it like a tool. The quality of the output depends on you. The more experience you bring to the table and the more you interact with the model, the better the results will be. 📌
That being said, below is an example of a bad prompt vs a good prompt so you can get the best results.
❌ Bad Prompt (Too generic):
“Make a content plan.”
Why it’s bad:
- No information about the type of content
- No platform is mentioned
- No goals or audience defined
- AI has nothing to anchor the plan to
The result will be vague, unhelpful, and likely full of filler. Here’s what a good prompt looks like.
✅ Good Prompt (Clear, structured, and useful):
“Create a 4-week content plan for a B2B SaaS company targeting small business owners. The goal is to increase brand awareness and generate leads through LinkedIn. Include 3 content pillars and provide 2 post ideas under each pillar with suggested formats (text post, carousel, short video).”
Why it’s good:
- Identifies industry (B2B SaaS)
- Defines target audience (small business owners)
- Clarifies the platform (LinkedIn)
- States a goal (awareness and lead gen)
- Specifies structure (4 weeks, 3 pillars, formats)
What still bugs me about Gemini 2.5
Even though Gemini is built into Google’s ecosystem, the experience can feel a little clunky when switching between chat, file uploads, and Sheets, and it feels more patchy than seamless. It also has moments where it misses the mark, especially with more nuanced writing or deeper thinking.
The long context window sounds amazing on paper, but it doesn’t always remember or use that info how you’d expect. And yeah, it still hallucinates. 🤧
So, while it’s powerful, you still need to police the output.
My two cents
Gemini 2.5 is one of the best AI models currently on the market, but if we’re being honest, “best” is a moving target. I’m sure someone else has an update around the corner. So, at the risk of sounding a little woo-woo, looking inward is the key to getting the best out of AI. 🎯
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. AI should do it with me rather than do it for me.
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This is an impressive advancement for Gemini, but it’s only as good as our readiness to use it.
Soft skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and, most importantly, patience play a MASSIVE role in getting the most out of AI.
😇 Hope this helps. I’m rooting for you.
P.S. If you want more easy and helpful AI tips and tricks,sign up for my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts.
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Source: Robotics - zdnet.com
