Google Chrome users, you might want to check your hard drive for a 4GB file called weights.bin. It’s there because your browser installed something called Gemini N, a massive AI model, without asking you.
The discovery was made by Tom’s Hardware last week, and it appears that Chrome has been embedding this AI model in users’ devices for a while now. The 4GB file weighs in at 4,192 megabytes, roughly the size of a standard HD movie.
A 4GB Mystery on Your Hard Drive
According to reports, weights.bin was added to Chrome starting with version 113 in October of last year. That means anyone using the browser since then might have this file on their device, but wouldn’t know it. That’s not only frustrating, but also raises serious questions about the nature of this AI model and why Chrome’s developers chose to quietly install it.
No one seems to know what exactly the Gemini N model does, but it’s speculated to be related to improving Google’s search algorithm, potentially helping the company make better sense of the vast amounts of data it collects on users.
The AI Model in Question
Gemini N, a 4,192-megabyte AI model, doesn’t come with any information about its intended use or what exactly it’s meant to do. Chrome developers didn’t announce anything about Gemini N’s existence, nor did they ask for users’ consent to install it. This has left many users – and developers – confused, to say the least.
It’s worth noting that the Chrome team hasn’t commented on this issue. We’ve reached out to Google for clarification, but haven’t received a response. Given the magnitude of this revelation, one has to wonder how many users are affected and what the implications might be for their security and data.
The Question on Everyone’s Mind
As of now, it’s unclear whether users have a way to remove Gemini N from their devices. If you’re using Chrome on a desktop computer, it’s possible that you’re already hosting this 4GB AI model on your hard drive. If you’re concerned, you might want to check your storage for weights.bin and start asking questions.