As the use of artificial intelligence rises, Google has updated Gmail to include new AI features available to most users. With the updates, millions of Gmail users must now decide if they want to use the helpful, but possibly intrusive features.
The update, launched on Jan 8, includes AI overview, “Help Me Write,” and other AI-powered features that are designed to streamline email. AI can now summarise the contents of your Gmail account to point out the most important emails, suggest how to respond, give quick summaries of the contents and more.
Much like when you search a term or phrase on Google, the AI overview feature produces a summary of the contents with a few key points listed. So, if you have an email chain that includes multiple people or dozens of replies, the program will summarise the entire thread to create key points of information the reader should know.
The feature can also be used to scan through old emails without needing specific keywords.
“And when you ask your inbox a question, we use Gemini to generate a simple AI Overview with the answer,” Google explained in a blog announcing the updates. “Instead of hunting for keywords or digging through a year of emails, just use natural language, like ‘Who was the plumber that gave me a quote for the bathroom renovation last year?’ Gemini’s advanced reasoning pulls the answer, instantly summarising the exact details you need.”
The ability to ask questions of AI overview is only available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.
AI will also make suggestions on when to reply to emails or suggest actions such as scheduling an appointment.
When the user is ready to reply, the “Help Me Write” tool will offer AI-produced guidance on crafting an email. The AI can also instantly create a draft that is written in the tone and style of the user, based on writing samples the AI scans in the email. AI-driven proofreading and grammar features are also available to users who pay for Google AI Pro and Ultra services.
For users whose inbox is always full, the AI Inbox feature will separate emails into different categories based on perceived importance. Those categories can be things like “must-do” or “catch up on,” etc. This gives users a better idea of what’s in their email that needs immediate attention and what can wait.
Users who prefer the old style do not have to utilise the features, but may see the option to use them while in their email. To turn the features off completely, open your Gmail and go to settings. Scroll to the various “Smart” sections and deselect the boxes for the AI services you don’t want to use.
Google says it will continue to unveil AI-powered features for Gmail in the coming months. – mlive.com/Tribune News Service
