Google Workspace Apps Will Soon Be Integrated with AI

Google has come a long way since predictive text.

The company has announced plans to integrate its Google Workspace apps with AI, a decision that will impact workers who use its suite of enterprise software tools which includes Google Docs, Google Sheets and Gmail. It said it will roll out some of these features to select enterprise customers within the next couple of weeks. A new wand icon will appear in the apps of those selected, which will allow them to access new writing capabilities in Google Docs and Gmail to start.

The announcement signals that Google is ramping up its efforts to catch up to its rivals now that the AI revolution is underway and that’s big news for everyone, particularly journalists who use Workspace apps to do their work on a regular basis.

“Whether you’re a busy HR professional who needs to create customized job descriptions, or a parent drafting the invitation for your child’s pirate-themed birthday party, Workspace saves you the time and effort of writing that first version,” Google said in its press release. “Simply type a topic you’d like to write about, and a draft will instantly be generated for you. With your collaborative Al partner you can continue to refine and edit, getting more suggestions as needed.”

While it is still unclear when other features might be rolled out, Google provided some information about the way workers will benefit from its new Workspace AI integrations.

THE AI WILL HELP WITH WRITING AND EMAILS

Much like OpenAI’s smash hit ChatGPT, Google’s generative AI will be able to produce an entire draft based off a set topic or bullet points from scratch. It can summarize email threads or create briefs that are based on different Google documents or emails.

Workers can also highlight specific text and ask the AI to rewrite it accounting for tone. You can select a command like “Make this more formal” or “Make this whimsical.” There’s also a “view another” button that can give you a different option if you don’t like the first result. Additionally, much like Google’s trademark search engine, Google’s AI will include an “I’m feeling lucky” option that will allow Google to choose one for you.

THE AI CAN AUTOFILL SPREADSHEETS

Google’s AI can autofill spreadsheets, which will help workers fill them out faster or understand their data. In Google Sheets, the AI can generate formulas, categorize data, and offer analysis and insights. A single prompt can automatically fill in the blanks in any column of your choosing.

THE AI CAN MAKE COMMUNICATION MORE EFFICIENT

While more information on this feature has yet to be released, Google did say it has plans to integrate its AI into Google Chat to allow workers to automate some of their processes. And for those of you who don’t like meetings (virtual or otherwise), prepare to be amazed: Workers who use Google Meet will be able to automatically track meeting notes and create checklists for action items. It gets better: The AI can even summarize the meeting.

THE AI CAN GENERATE IMAGES AND PRESENTATIONS ON THE FLY

Google’s AI will be able to produce AI imagery, audio, and video to illustrate presentations in Slides. Workers can use prompts to generate images for specific slides and though Google did not provide further details, workers will eventually be able to do the same with AI-generated audio and video.

Google acknowleded in its press release that generative AI “is an emerging and rapidly evolving technology with complex challenges.” The company said it will “invite external and internal testers to pressure test new experiences” and guide its work using AI Principles, which “serve as an ongoing commitment to our customers worldwide who rely on our products to build and grow their businesses safely with AI.”