Seriously, Why Do Some AI Chatbot Subscriptions Cost More Than $200?
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Google Launches Deep Think AI for Ultra Subscribers
Above: Google and Gemini logos. Image copyright: Cheng Xin/Getty Images
The Spin
Techno-optimist narrative
Deep Think represents a breakthrough in AI reasoning capabilities, delivering gold-medal mathematical performance to everyday users. The model's parallel thinking approach and extended reasoning time yield significantly better results than competitors, with benchmark scores nearly doubling those of rivals in complex reasoning tasks. This technology democratizes access to Olympic-level problem-solving abilities for research and development.
Techno-skeptic narrative
The $250 monthly price tag makes Deep Think accessible only to wealthy users, creating an AI divide between premium and standard subscribers. Google's safety review reveals concerning risks associated with weapons development, while the public version is merely a "bronze" variant of the truly capable model reserved for select researchers. The high refusal rate and slower response times limit the practical utility of this model compared to existing models.