Google takes first steps towards an AI product that may really sort out your electronic mail inbox

The expanded features, which include AI summarization and writing tools, come as Google responds to users wanting more personalized AI experiences. 

“We recently surveyed our users and found that 85% of them think that AI in Gmail is most helpful when it leverages their content to generate tailored responses,” Gmail’s Head of Product, VP Blake Barnes, told reporters in a conference call on Wednesday. “They don’t want a generic assistant.” A December poll by Google Workspace and The Harris Poll found that 92% of knowledge workers ages 22-39 want AI with personalization. 

As part of the rollout, an AI Overview tool similar to the one found on Google Search will summarize email threads. Paid users will be able to ask their inboxes and receive an AI Overview. 

Biggest update

The biggest update is to how Gemini will assist users with writing and replying to messages. The “Help Me Write” tool, previously available as a paid service on Gmail, can draft emails from a signal prompt. According to internal company data, 70% of enterprise users who use “Help Me Write” in Google Docs or Gmail took Gemini’s suggestion. 

“AI securely analyzes your past emails. It understands your writing style, the typical greetings you have, the sign-offs, and also what’s going on in your life to generate the suggested response that’s really personalized to you,” Barnes said. Next month, the Help Me Write tool will be updated to include information from users’ other Google apps. 

The existing “Smart Replies” feature, now called “Suggested Replies,” can write responses that better match a user’s tone and style. While both of these features are free to all, the AI-powered proofreading tool that addresses word choice, concision and active voice is only available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. 

The update will also pilot an AI inbox tab with “trusted testers” that briefs users on their emails and creates to-do lists reminding users about tasks like paying bills or a dentist appointment.

The features will only be available in English and in the US. Google plans to expand to other languages and countries in the coming months.