Google Gemini 2.5 Now Thinks Longer, Speaks Better, Uses Fewer Tokens

Google's newest AI upgrade brings a notable feature: the ability to stop and think. The company's Gemini 2.5 Pro now pauses to consider multiple answers before speaking – like a chess player who actually reads the rules before moving their pieces.

This new capability, called Deep Think, helps Gemini tackle complex math and coding problems with unusual precision. It recently aced the 2025 USA Mathematical Olympiad, though it still can't explain why anyone would want to solve these problems for fun.

The upgrade extends beyond just thinking harder. Gemini 2.5 Flash, the everyday workhorse, now runs 30% more efficiently while handling the same tasks. It's like getting better mileage on your car without having to buy a hybrid.

Multi-Language Mastery

Both models speak 24 languages and switch between them seamlessly. They can even whisper when needed – a feature that seems unnecessary until you remember how loudly some digital assistants announce the weather at 6 AM.

Developer Tools Get Smarter

Developers get new tools too. They can now peek into Gemini's thought process through "thought summaries" and control how much thinking time the AI gets. It's essentially a volume knob for artificial consciousness, though turning it up won't make the AI existential.

Google strengthened security against prompt injection attacks – those sneaky attempts to make AI misbehave by hiding instructions in innocent-looking requests. It's like teaching the AI to spot spam emails, but for its own brain.

The company also added native audio features. Users can adjust Gemini's tone, accent, and speaking style. Want your AI to sound melodramatic while reading your shopping list? Now you can. Though Google wisely stopped short of giving it the ability to sing.

Shifting AI Priorities

These improvements mark a shift in AI development. While competitors race to make their models faster, Google focuses on making them think better first. It's refreshing to see an AI that takes its time instead of blurting out the first answer that crosses its circuits.

For now, Deep Think remains in testing with trusted users. Google's taking it slow, probably because teaching AI to think deeper requires making sure it doesn't start contemplating the meaning of life while you're asking for directions to the grocery store.

Memory and Processing Upgrades

The updates include practical features too. The models now handle longer conversations without forgetting what you said five minutes ago – a skill some humans could stand to learn. They process images better and write cleaner code, though they still can't explain why programmers prefer dark mode.

Text-to-speech got smarter as well. The models capture subtle nuances in speech, including whispers, pauses, and emphasis. They still sound somewhat robotic, but now it's more "sophisticated robot" than "shopping mall directory."

Playing Well with Others

Google added something called Model Context Protocol support, which helps Gemini work better with other tools. Think of it as teaching the AI to play well with others, but with more technical jargon.

The company's careful approach shows in how they're rolling out these features. Deep Think isn't available to everyone yet. First, trusted testers will try it out, making sure it doesn't get too deep in its thinking. After all, no one wants an AI that responds to "What's the weather?" with a philosophical treatise on the nature of meteorological perception.

These changes suggest AI development might be growing up. Instead of just making things faster or adding flashy features, companies now focus on making AI think more carefully. It's like watching a teenager learn that speed isn't everything – sometimes you need to slow down and consider your options.

The improvements to Gemini 2.5 Flash make it more practical for everyday use. It handles the same tasks with fewer resources, which means better performance without needing a supercomputer in your pocket. The model strikes a balance between speed and accuracy, like a calculator that double-checks its math.

Why this matters:

• While other companies push for speed, Google shows that taking time to think leads to better results – a lesson that applies beyond just AI
• The focus on deliberate, methodical problem-solving suggests AI is moving from its "fast but flighty" teenage years into a more mature phase. Though it still can't load the dishwasher correctly

Read on, my dear:

Google: Gemini 2.5: Our most intelligent models are getting even better