At its Google Cloud Next conference on Wednesday, Google announced a range of Workspace-focused enhancements, including the integration of its AI Overviews feature into Gmail. This feature, which currently uses AI to summarize Google Search results, will now perform a similar function for Gmail users in a professional setting.
According to Google, this functionality will allow Gmail users to ask questions using natural language within search, then receive concise answers without the need to open and read various emails.
The company suggests this feature could be utilized for business-related inquiries often found in emails, such as those regarding performance improvements, project milestones, invoices, comments on decks, and trip details, providing straightforward answers.
The AI Overview will generate an immediate summary compiled from multiple emails and conversations.
While not everyone prefers AI as their initial step to finding an answer, its adoption is rapidly becoming standard practice, both within Google’s own products and across the web.
In this instance, Google states that AI Overviews in Gmail will be the default setting if the organization has Gemini for Workspace enabled in Gmail and Workspace Intelligence access to Gmail activated. (End users must also have “Smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet” and “Google Workspace smart features” enabled.)
The feature was previously available to consumers with Google AI Pro and Ultra subscriptions. Google now confirms its availability to business, enterprise, and education customers through the following products:
- Business: Business Starter, Standard, and Plus
- Enterprise: Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus
- Consumers: Google AI Pro and Ultra
- Other Editions: Frontline Plus
- AI Add-ons: Google AI Pro for Education
Coinciding with this launch, Google also announced the broad availability of AI Overviews in Drive for eligible Workspace and Google AI plans. This feature had previously been in beta.