Turn car rides into curiosity: brainstorm with AI on the go

Listening to podcasts at 1.5–2× on my commute has always been a productivity hack of mine. But as a parent of two, I can't always convince my kids to listen to the “Acquired” podcast — they lose interest fast.

I'm also a big believer in critical thinking in this new AI age, so when my son asks an inquisitive question, I like to lean in. We'll often go to the library and borrow books on the topic to dig deeper. But the library isn't always an option when you're on the go. I needed a better solution.

The unlock: Gemini's “Talk Live”

Recently I started using Gemini's “Talk Live” feature, and it's been a big unlock for engaging my child on long drives. My six-year-old has been fascinated by the Concorde jet, black holes, and Uranus. Together, out loud, we learned about the closest black hole to Earth, the difference between a supermassive and a regular black hole, whether our sun will become a white dwarf or a black hole, and that the Concorde could fly at Mach 2. The list goes on.

It became a brainstorm-and-conversation buddy in our pocket, 24/7 — turning dead commute time into the kind of back-and-forth that builds curiosity.

How to set it up (iPhone)

• •Install the Gemini app on your iPhone.
• •Swipe down to open your Control Center controls.
• •Tap “Add a Control.”
• •Find Gemini in the options — you'll see one called “Talk Live.”
• •Add the “Talk Live” control.
• •To start a session, swipe down, tap “Talk Live,” and just start talking.

A word of balance: the point isn't to replace your own back-and-forth with your kids, or the library trips — it's to have a knowledgeable companion for the moments you'd otherwise lose. You're still the parent in the loop, steering the curiosity.