{"id":711,"date":"2024-05-09T01:05:20","date_gmt":"2024-05-09T01:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serverhost.com\/blog\/using-the-gnome-extension-to-access-gemini-ai-in-ubuntu\/"},"modified":"2025-03-03T11:43:13","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T11:43:13","slug":"using-the-gnome-extension-to-access-gemini-ai-in-ubuntu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/serverhost.com\/blog\/using-the-gnome-extension-to-access-gemini-ai-in-ubuntu\/","title":{"rendered":"Using the GNOME Extension to Access Gemini AI in Ubuntu"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you use Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later and want to access the Google Gemini AI chatbot straight from your desktop outside of a web browser, you\u2019re in luck!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The Gemini AI ChatBot GNOME Shell extension<\/a> (unaffiliated with Google; it\u2019s not an official thing) gives you immediate access to Gemini at any time from the applet it adds to the top panel \u2014 no need to open a web browser tab or fire up a standalone app.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Gemini, formerly known as Bard, is an AI language model developed by Google. Like ChatGPT, CoPilot et al it will generate human-like replies to questions and tasks, can translate, correct, or summarise text, generate and debug code, and more.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Like other AI of this ilk, Gemini is already very human-like in the sense that it\u2019s happy to invent facts, spout confident-sounding wrong answers (and then double down on them), hallucinate, and, like so many of us real flesh bags, rely on outdated data.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Despite its quirks, AI can be extremely beneficial when used properly, envisaged as an assistant rather than a magic crystal ball. The product of this post, a snazzy GNOME Shell extension, provides a unique window to give it a whirl.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

How to Use Gemini AI in Ubuntu<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

To take advantage of this extension, a Gemini AI API key has to be generated (which is free) from the Google AI Studio website<\/a>. However, you should be aware that the Google AI Studio is not currently available in the United Kingdom or EU member states<\/strong> (due to impending AI regulations<\/a>). <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Google AI Studio is accessible in the USA, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Africa, British Crown Dependencies, and several other countries. If your location is supportive, you’re all set. If not, perhaps consider using a VPN?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>
Clicking this button reveals a magical \u2026API key<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

From the Google AI Studio Website:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Sign in with a Google account<\/li>\n
  2. Click the \u201cGet API key\u201d link<\/li>\n
  3. Click the \u201cCreate API key\u201d button <\/li>\n
  4. Copy the key<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Pay for Google Vertex? You can use your API key in this extension instead. Vertex can search the internet for the latest info to improve answers whereas free Gemini is trained on a fixed snapshot. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

    Now you have your API key you can go ahead and install the extension itself. Note: it does not<\/em> function without a valid API key so you cannot skip the requirement.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

    The Gemini AI ChatBot <\/em>GNOME Shell extension<\/a> works with GNOME versions used in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS through Ubuntu 24.04 LTS though on the latter there is a bug that prevents the extension from loading (there is a workaround <\/a>until an update is release).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

    For the easiest, most efficient way to search, install, and manage GNOME Shell extensions in Ubuntu you should install the Extensions Manager<\/em> app, available via App Center<\/em> (set search filter to DEB) or from Flathub<\/em><\/a> (if you want the latest version).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

    To install it from the command line:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

    sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-manager<\/p>
    <\/a><\/pre>\n<\/p>\n
    Then:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n