What's this about?
Ethan Mollick argues it's remarkable that Google's Gemini has fallen off the frontier despite Google having captive distribution (billions of users) that rivals like Meta or SpaceX don't have — an unusual failure to convert advantages into a leading model.
What exactly is "a frontier model"?
"Frontier" models are the current best-in-class systems (the ones setting the bar on hard benchmarks and real use). Falling off the frontier means competitors' models are simply better for serious work, even if yours ships to more people by default.
Why it matters
It's a pointed take on whether distribution or model quality wins — and a reminder that captive users don't guarantee a leading model.