Google's iOS application is introducing a novel "Simplify" function, leveraging artificial intelligence to render complex or technical online content more accessible, directly within the webpage interface.

Simplify employs a prompt refinement methodology pioneered by Google Research, leveraging Gemini to render complex text more accessible without sacrificing crucial information. Google's trials indicated that the simplified output facilitated enhanced comprehension and retention of the source material among users.

By integrating a feature such as Simplify, Google probably aims to keep users within its suite of tools and services when navigating complex subjects, instead of seeking assistance from prominent third-party applications like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

To leverage Simplify, highlight any desired text on a webpage accessed via the Google app, subsequently tapping the emergent "Simplify" icon. This action will render a streamlined rendition of the content, facilitating comprehension and enabling uninterrupted reading.

Google's research blog gives an example of how this feature could appear. For example, you might find a section that says: “This condition is complex and includes the breakdown of lung tissue due to emphysema, widespread scarring in the lungs, changes in the kinds of immune cells in the lungs, increased creation of substances that affect the immune system, and major changes to the lung's blood vessels.”

This complex condition affects the lungs. It includes damage to the lung tissue from emphysema, which harms the air sacs, and a lot of scarring of the lung tissue, called fibrosis. The immune cells in the lungs change, and the body produces more substances that control the immune system, called immunomodulatory factors. The blood vessels in the lungs also change a lot.

According to Google, the feature's concept is to simplify the understanding of intricate subjects users may encounter while acquiring new knowledge online.

Google said in a blog post, "We need models that can accurately explain difficult ideas in different words without making mistakes or leaving out important details." They added, "The new text should help people understand hard topics without changing the meaning of the original information."

Simplify is poised to commence its rollout to iOS users this week.