Spring AI with Gemini API: Easy Onboarding via OpenAI Compatibility
Within Google’s Gemini product lineup, although both the Gemini API and Vertex AI Gemini are based on the Gemini model, they differ significantly in their target audiences and application scenarios:
Gemini API:
This API adopts an OpenAI-compatible interface, primarily targeting developers. It offers a lightweight and easy-to-use approach, enabling developers to quickly access and utilize the latest Gemini models via familiar OpenAI libraries or REST APIs—ideal for rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept projects.Vertex AI Gemini:
Part of the Google Cloud Vertex AI suite, this service is geared toward enterprise use. In addition to offering Gemini models, it integrates advanced security, scalability, and comprehensive operational management features, making it well-suited for large-scale production environments and enterprise applications.
As a result, while Spring AI does not yet support native integration with the Gemini API, we can leverage the OpenAI compatibility mode (refer to the official documentation at https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/openai) to access Gemini models. This approach allows developers to utilize the familiar OpenAI interface within Spring AI for quick and efficient integration of Gemini API features.