Part objects
Structured data packages for multimodal AI models, handling text, images, and other types.
Part objects are like special containers for information that you send to or get back from advanced AI models. Think of them as envelopes designed to hold different kinds of content, such as text, pictures, or even audio files, all in one package.
For example, if you wanted to ask an AI to describe a photo you took, you would put the photo into a part object and the text question into another part object. The AI then receives both as a single input, understanding that they are related.
Part objects are a structured format for representing discrete pieces of data within a larger input or output for multimodal AI models. They allow for the clear delineation and typing of various data modalities, such as text, images, audio, or video, enabling models to process and generate complex, multi-format information.
This approach facilitates richer interactions by enabling models to understand context across different data types. For instance, a prompt might include a text instruction alongside an image, with each represented as a distinct part object within the overall request.
The concept of part objects is gaining prominence as AI models become increasingly multimodal, capable of processing and generating various types of data simultaneously. Recent updates to developer tools and cookbooks, like those for Google Gemini, aim to simplify how developers interact with these advanced capabilities.
- Gemini API Cookbook: fix: align quickstarts with interactions API and cookbook QA standards (#1276)Google · Gemini API Cookbook ·
- Google Gemini
- Google Gemini uses part objects to manage the different types of data, like text and images, that can be sent to or received from its multimodal models.
- Data structures
- Part objects are a specific type of data structure used for AI
- File formats
- Part objects describe the content and type of data, not the underl
The concept of part objects is inherent in the design of modern multimodal AI systems and their APIs, which need to handle diverse data types. Specific implementations and terminology may vary across different model providers.
Use the Google Gemini API or a similar tool that supports multimodal inputs. Try sending a text prompt along with an image. Observe how the API processes these as distinct but related pieces of information, demonstrating the use of part objects.
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Questions people ask
- What kind of data can be in a part object?
- Part objects can contain various data types, including text, images, audio, and video, depending on the capabilities of the AI model.
- Why are part objects important for AI?
- They allow AI models to understand and process complex inputs that combine different types of information, leading to more nuanced and capable responses.
First seen on Subvolts Aug 19, 2026. Updated Sep 15, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.