Google Rolls Out Gemini AI Side Panel for Gmail

Google is introducing a new Gemini AI side panel for Gmail following its successful implementation in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive.

The Gemini 1.5 Pro AI model will help users with tasks such as summarizing emails, suggesting responses, drafting emails, and finding specific information within emails.

Key Features of Gemini AI:

1. Email Summarization: Users can leverage Gemini AI to summarize lengthy email threads, making it easier to grasp the essential points quickly.
2. Suggested Responses: The AI can suggest responses to email threads, helping users reply efficiently and effectively.
3. Email Drafting Assistance: Gemini AI can assist in drafting emails offering suggestions for content and structure.
4. Information Retrieval: Users can ask questions to find specific information within their inbox or from Google Drive files. For example, the AI can address questions like “What was the PO number for my agency?” “How much did the company spend on the last marketing event?” or “When is the next team meeting?”
5. Freeform Questions: Users can ask freeform questions to the AI, which will search through the inbox and retrieve relevant information.

Availability for the new Google AI:

These new Gemini AI features are available to:

• Google Workspace customers with a Gemini Business or Enterprise add-on.
• Gemini Education or Education Premium add-on subscribers.
• Google One AI Premium subscribers.

Accessing the Features:

Admins can enable Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps by turning on smart features and personalization in the admin console.

For End Users

• Desktop: Users can access Gemini in the Gmail side panel by clicking on the “Ask Gemini” star button in the top right corner of Gmail.
• Mobile: Users can access the AI by tapping the “summarize this email” chip within an email thread.

Rollout Schedule:

• Rapid Release Domain Web Users: Features will start rolling out and become visible within 1-3 days from June 24.
• Scheduled Release Domains: Features will become visible within approximately 15 days starting July 8.
• Mobile Users: The rollout will also begin on June 24, taking around 15 days for full visibility.

Upcoming Features:

Google has announced that additional mobile features, such as contextual smart replies and Gmail Q&A, will be released soon, further enhancing the capabilities of Gemini AI in Gmail.

This new AI integration aims to streamline email management and improve productivity by giving users smart tools to handle email communications more efficiently.