Gmail on Android now offers AI-powered email assistance with Gemini

Gmail users on Android have a new tool at their disposal: Google’s AI assistant, Gemini, can now help them manage their emails directly within the app. This feature, known as Gmail Q&A, was introduced on Thursday for users who subscribe to Google’s Gemini service, with plans to extend it to iOS devices in the near future.

Gmail Q&A brings a new level of interactivity to email management. With this feature, Gemini acts as a virtual assistant that can access and summarize the contents of your entire inbox. For instance, users can ask Gemini to catch them up on specific topics by simply saying, “Catch me up on the emails about quarterly planning.” Additionally, Gemini can be used to retrieve detailed information, such as, “How much did the company spend on the last marketing event?”

However, it’s worth noting that like other AI models, Gemini isn’t immune to occasional inaccuracies, commonly referred to as “hallucinations.” Users are advised to verify the information provided by Gemini, particularly when it comes to critical details.

Historically, Gmail users have relied on the search bar to locate specific emails, a feature that remains intact. The new Gemini button, which will appear next to the search bar, reflects Google’s broader shift from traditional search functions to AI-powered chat interfaces. Rather than manually searching for an email, users can now ask Gemini to summarize or find information, with the assistant providing answers that include citations from the original emails.

For those who subscribe to Gemini, accessing the Gmail Q&A feature is straightforward. A black star icon, representing Gemini across Google’s product suite, will be visible in the top-right corner of the app. Currently, this feature is limited to emails, but Google has indicated that future updates will allow Gemini to connect with files stored in Google Drive as well.

The rollout of Gmail Q&A follows its earlier introduction to Gmail web users who subscribe to Gemini or Google One AI Premium, services that cost around $20 per month. These premium offerings, which include AI-driven features like Gmail Q&A, are part of Google’s strategy to monetize its AI capabilities. For now, it seems unlikely that free Gmail users will gain access to this feature, as Google continues to promote the value of its premium AI subscriptions. Alongside Gmail, Gemini is also being integrated into other Google products such as Google Docs, Calendar, and more, albeit at a price. This strategic move positions Google’s AI advancements as a key revenue driver in the evolving landscape of AI technology.