On Thursday, Google introduced a suite of innovative artificial intelligence enhancements to Gmail, aiming to rejuvenate its 22-year-old email platform amidst the rising tide of AI technologies.

The updates are designed to assist users in composing emails, uncovering hidden information within their inboxes, and organizing daily tasks. Initially, these fresh features will be available in English exclusively for U.S. users. While some functionalities will be provided at no cost, others will necessitate G1 Ultra and Pro subscriptions.

As part of Alphabet, Google is integrating these new tools into its email service, leveraging the capabilities of its latest large language model, Gemini 3. This move to incorporate AI into its services comes at a time when privacy concerns are escalating, particularly regarding the potential access of generative AI to personal data.

Personalized writing aid

Among the enhancements, Gmail users will gain access to a ‘Help Me Write’ feature, which is designed to aid in refining grammar and phrasing. This tool analyzes past emails to comprehend a user’s writing style, allowing it to tailor emails and offer real-time suggestions for responding to messages.

Additionally, Gmail will feature an AI Overview capability, which provides summaries of email conversations and highlights essential points from lengthy threads.

Both features will be available on the Web and mobile versions of Gmail.

“This is us delivering on Gmail proactively having your back,” said Blake Barnes, a Google vice president of product.

Google is offering paid Pro and Ultra subscribers access to technology that lets users ask natural-language questions directly in the Gmail search bar. Subscribers will also have access to a dedicated chatbot for follow-up questions.

For example, instead of manually searching for last month’s electric bill, a user could ask, “How much was my electric bill last month?” Gemini would scan the user’s email history, highlight the information and provide direct access to any relevant messages.

Another feature, “AI Inbox,” is also being rolled out to a handful of customers for testing. When it’s turned on, the function will sift through inboxes and suggest to-do lists and topics that users might want to explore. 

Meanwhile, the so-called  “Catch me up” tool will provide users with reminders of their upcoming events and appointments. This includes but is not limited to upcoming reservations, purchases and deliveries, and cancelled or rescheduled appointments.

How to opt out

Incorporating AI directly into Gmail could pose risks for Google, given that large language models can sometimes present erroneous or misleading information. And although users can proofread AI-aided messages before they’re sent, the tech could potentially make mistakes.

Still, Gmail users can turn off the AI features. To do so, users should open their Gmail account settings and, under the “General” tab, scroll to the “Smart” features and personalization section. Users should then uncheck “Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet,” and then save their changes.