Google just turned its Gemini AI assistant into a digital task manager. The company announced today that Gemini on Android will now automate multi-step processes like ordering rideshares, booking grocery deliveries, and handling food orders - all without users needing to jump between apps. The update marks Google's latest push to transform Gemini from a chatbot into an AI agent that can actually get things done, putting it in direct competition with Apple's Siri and the wave of AI automation tools flooding the market.
Google is betting that people don't want to chat with AI - they want it to handle their errands. The company revealed today that Gemini on Android will now tackle multi-step automation for everyday tasks like summoning an Uber, ordering DoorDash, or scheduling grocery pickups from Instacart.
The timing isn't coincidental. Just as OpenAI pushes its agent capabilities and Apple preps deeper Siri integration with third-party apps, Google's racing to prove its AI can move beyond answering questions to actually completing tasks. The distinction matters because it shifts Gemini from a novelty into something users might depend on daily.
Here's how it works in practice: Instead of opening your rideshare app, entering a destination, comparing prices, and confirming - you'll tell Gemini where you need to go. The AI handles the rest, interacting with the app in the background, selecting options, and booking your ride. Same goes for food delivery: describe what you want, and Gemini orchestrates the ordering process across whichever service you prefer.
The technical challenge behind this isn't trivial. Google's essentially teaching Gemini to navigate third-party app interfaces, understand context across multiple steps, and make decisions on your behalf. That requires sophisticated app integration - likely through Android's accessibility APIs or direct partnerships with major service providers. Google hasn't detailed the exact implementation, but the company's been quietly building these capabilities into Android for months.
