Google is making it easier to understand complex content on the web with a new feature in its iOS app. Called Simplify, the tool uses AI text simplification to turn technical or difficult language into plain English — all without leaving the webpage.
The feature is designed for anyone who wants to learn about a challenging topic but feels overwhelmed by dense or specialized writing. Whether you’re reading about medicine, science, or law, Simplify rewrites the selected text using AI-powered tools. The new, easier version keeps the original meaning intact while improving readability.
Powered by Gemini AI for Better Understanding
Simplify is built on a technique developed by Google Research and powered by Gemini, Google’s advanced AI model. It uses prompt refinement, a method that helps the AI maintain key ideas while paraphrasing the text. Google says its internal tests showed users could better understand and remember simplified content.
To use Simplify, iOS users simply highlight a block of text in the Google app, then tap the new Simplify icon. The app will instantly display a rewritten, more understandable version of the selected content.
For example, here’s how it works in action:
Original:
“The complex pathology of this condition involves emphysematous destruction of lung parenchyma, diffuse interstitial fibrosis, changes in the composition of lung immune cells, increased production of immunomodulatory factors, and the prominent remodeling of pulmonary vasculature.”
Simplified version:
“This complex condition involves damage to the lung tissue from emphysema, a disease that damages the air sacs in the lungs, and widespread scarring of the lung tissue, called fibrosis. The immune cells in the lungs change, and the body makes more substances that control the immune system. The blood vessels in the lungs also change a lot.”
This example shows how AI text simplification can break down difficult topics into easy-to-understand language — without leaving out important facts. That’s key to Google’s goal: making information easier to digest without losing accuracy. “The rewritten text must help the reader understand challenging material without sacrificing the integrity of the original information,” the company said in a blog post.
Competing with Third-Party AI Tools Like ChatGPT
By offering AI text simplification directly inside its app, Google is giving users fewer reasons to leave its ecosystem. Today, many people turn to tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT to simplify or summarize technical content. Simplify gives Google a built-in advantage by allowing users to do the same — but faster and more seamlessly.
The rollout of this feature is part of a broader trend: using AI to personalize web experiences. Whether through search, learning, or productivity tools, Google wants to keep users engaged with features that enhance their understanding, not just their browsing.
The Simplify feature is now rolling out to iOS users. No word yet on when it will arrive for Android, but it’s likely to follow soon.
This move further highlights Google’s commitment to integrating AI deeply into everyday apps — especially in education, learning, and accessibility. With AI text simplification, Google’s mobile app may become a go-to tool for students, professionals, and curious readers who want to break down complex topics in real time.
