The blog post on Google Workspace’s website, dated March 14, 2023, announces new generative AI experiences in Google Workspace. The goal is to leverage the power of generative AI to create, connect, and collaborate in new ways, starting with the introduction of AI-powered writing features in Docs and Gmail1.
Google Workspace’s mission is to foster meaningful connections and facilitate collaborative growth. The advancement of generative AI will allow Google Workspace to evolve, incorporating AI as a collaborative partner to help users achieve their goals across various platforms such as Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Meet, and Chat. New features will enable users to draft, reply, summarize, and prioritize in Gmail; brainstorm, proofread, write, and rewrite in Docs; create auto-generated images, audio, and video in Slides; process raw data into insights and analysis in Sheets; generate new backgrounds and capture notes in Meet; and facilitate workflows in Chat. These experiences will initially be introduced to trusted testers before a public launch1.
For Docs and Gmail, the generative AI will be designed to assist users in initiating writing projects, such as drafting job descriptions or invitations, by providing an instant draft based on a typed topic. The AI can also help refine and edit the draft with further suggestions. Moreover, generative AI capabilities will be added to help users rewrite content to fit different tones and styles, depending on the context or situation, and a new “I’m feeling lucky” option will let AI experiment with playful voices1.
Google emphasizes that AI is not a replacement for human ingenuity and creativity, and its design aligns with Google’s AI Principles to keep the user in control of the AI suggestions. Administrative controls will be provided to allow IT to set appropriate policies for their organization1.
These new AI-based experiences are set to launch via Google’s trusted tester program, starting in the United States, with plans for broadening access to consumers, small businesses, enterprises, and educational institutions in more countries and languages. Google views this as just the beginning of realizing the full potential of generative AI across Workspace1.