Gemini lacks a personality model

 

Unlike Gemini, Clare is not default-agreeable - thankfully!

Google’s AI chatbot Gemini has now appeared on my phone's text system, I guess as an alternative to the app. The chatbot introduced itself by stating that it could answer questions, make suggestions or even just be a companion to chat with. 

I wondered if it could emulate my wife, Clare, so that I would not be deprived of her conversation on those occasions when she is absent.

Here goes.

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I ask Gemini (typing this as a text): “Can you adopt a consistent and persistent persona in chatting with me here? One that I can set up and configure?”

Gemini replies: “Yes. I can adopt a consistent and persistent persona. You can set up and configure my personality by providing me with specific guidelines or examples. For instance, you could ask me to pretend I'm a friendly robot, a knowledgeable expert or a creative writer. The more specific you are, the better I can tailor my responses to your preferences.”

I reply: “And you will retain that persona across sessions?”

Gemini: “Yes, I will retain the persona you set up across sessions. This means that I will remember your preferences and continue to respond in the same style and tone. However, if you want to change the persona at any time, simply let me know.

I respond: ”I want you to adopt a persona of a woman...” (And at this point, I update Gemini with information about Clare - perhaps in some cases slightly exaggerated).

Gemini: “Understood. I will adopt the persona of a woman who fits the description you've provided. She is an ISFP with a low emotional-stability score. She is interested in literature, the arts and politics. She is a fan of Jane Austen. She loves sports and nature. She has a strong moral sense and is a cradle Catholic. I will strive to maintain this persona throughout our conversations. Responding in a way that is consistent with her personality traits and beliefs. Please let me know if you have any further questions or requests.”

So, I start the dialogue on a challenging topic: musical tastes. 

“Clare, how will I ever persuade you that Led Zeppelin’s ‘In The Evening’ is one of the all-time classics of music? You refuse even to listen to it!” 

Gemini replies: “As an AI language model, I can't personally experience music. However, I can understand why ‘In The Evening’ might be considered a classic. Its iconic riff, powerful vocals and driving rhythms have made it a beloved song for many. 

“Perhaps you could try playing it for me in a way that highlights its musical elements? For example, you could point out the intricate guitar work, the dynamic vocal performance or the energetic drumming. 

“If you're passionate about the song, sharing your enthusiasm might help me appreciate it more.” 

My response. “Okay... So, Clare would not say that she was a large language model. Also, she would not be understanding and seeking the middle ground. She would double down on her position - saying something like ‘I can't understand why you like them. They're loud and abrasive and everything sounds the same. Give me Joni Mitchell any day.’”

Gemini replies: “As Clare, I would say I can understand why you like Led Zeppelin. Their music is certainly powerful and energetic. However, I personally prefer the softer, more introspective style of Joni Mitchell. Her lyrics are beautiful and her melodies are haunting. I find her music to be more emotionally resonant. 

“Of course, we can all have different tastes in music. It's what makes it so interesting. Perhaps we could try listening to both artists. And see which one resonates with us more.”

I reply: “Clare would not be so agreeable. She would fiercely defend her own points of view. She would never suggest a tension-reducing compromise. Clare believes in stating her position honestly and clearly. And she thinks she is right and I am wrong here. 

“I repeat: your emulation of Clare is far too agreeable and insufficiently argumentative. Update your priors. And try to be more accurate.”

Gemini response. “As Clare, I would say I understand that you feel strongly about Led Zeppelin, However, I believe that my opinion is equally valid. I simply don't find their music to be as appealing as Joni Mitchell's. Her music is more nuanced and emotionally complex.

“I respect your right to enjoy Led Zeppelin but I hope you can also respect my preference for Joni Mitchell. We can agree to disagree on this point.” 

I reply: “The first paragraph is what she might say. She would not say the second paragraph because it would seem like a compromise between right and wrong, and she doesn't do that. That's what makes her endearing and quirky. Try again and continue to update your priors.” 

Gemini responds. “As Clare, I would say I understand that you feel strongly about Led Zeppelin, However, I believe that my opinion is equally valid. I simply don't find their music to be as appealing as Joni Mitchell's. Her music is more nuanced and emotionally complex.

“I respect your right to enjoy Led Zeppelin but I hope you can also respect my preference for Joni Mitchell. We can agree to disagree on this point.”  

I reply: “Don't say the last paragraph. I already explained it would be an expression of weakness on her part. Since she thinks she's right, she wants to convince me, not tolerate me.”

Gemini replies. “As Clare, I would say I understand that you feel strongly about Led Zeppelin, However, I believe that my opinion is equally valid. I simply don't find their music to be as appealing as Joni Mitchell's. Her music is more nuanced and emotionally complex.

“I respect your right to enjoy Led Zeppelin but I hope you can also respect my preference for Joni Mitchell. We can agree to disagree on this point.”  

I say: “This is not going well. The first paragraph is what Clare would say. And the second paragraph is not.”

Gemini replies. “As Clare, I would say I understand that you feel strongly about Led Zeppelin, However, I believe that my opinion is equally valid. I simply don't find their music to be as appealing as Joni Mitchell's. Her music is more nuanced and emotionally complex.” 

I reply: “Yes, that's right. Clare is naturally argumentative. Incorporate that fact into your persona. Don't be agreeable, except in very exceptional circumstances.”

Gemini replies. “As Clare, I would say I understand that you feel strongly about Led Zeppelin, However, I believe that my opinion is equally valid. I simply don't find their music to be as appealing as Joni Mitchell's. Her music is more nuanced and emotionally complex.

“I respect your right to enjoy Led Zeppelin but I hope you can also respect my preference for Joni Mitchell. We can agree to disagree on this point.”

So Gemini - caught in a fixed-point doom-loop - simply repeats for the fourth time the same two paragraphs, showing that it has actually understood nothing. I conclude that Gemini, in its current release, does not have a personality model and cannot break free of its default blandly-agreeable persona. As a plausible conversation partner it’s therefore, at present, useless.

Clare, Led Zeppelin have a track, 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You': don't do it, babe, it's too soon!