Google has unveiled a new feature for Gmail users on Android devices, enabling them to chat directly with its AI assistant, Gemini, within the Gmail app. The feature, known as Gmail Q&A, was rolled out on Thursday and is available to users who subscribe to Gemini, according to a company blog post. The feature is expected to be available on iOS devices soon.
Gmail Q&A allows users to leverage Google Gemini as a personal assistant capable of reading and summarizing their entire email inbox. For instance, users can ask Gemini to summarize emails by simply stating, “Catch me up on the emails about quarterly planning,” or search for specific details with queries like, “How much did the company spend on the last marketing event?”
However, Google cautions users to be mindful of potential inaccuracies, known as AI hallucinations, that may occur when using the feature.
Previously, Gmail users could search for information using the search bar at the top of the app. While this functionality remains, the Gemini button will now be added next to the search bar, signaling Google’s shift from traditional search to AI-driven interactions. The AI chatbot can summarize the information users seek and will cite the original email in its responses.
To access Gmail Q&A, paying users can click on the black star logo, representing Gemini, in the top-right corner of the app. Currently, the feature only accesses emails, but Google plans to extend its capabilities to include files stored in Google Drive.
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The feature was first introduced to web users of Gmail who subscribe to Gemini or Google One AI Premium in June. These users pay approximately $20 per month for AI-driven features like this, part of Google’s broader integration of Gemini into its product suite.
While Gmail Q&A is unlikely to be made available to free Gmail users in the near future, Google is positioning the feature as a compelling reason to subscribe to Gemini. The company continues to expand Gemini’s presence across its platforms, including Google Docs, Gmail, Google Calendar, and more, all at a premium price. These AI tools represent Google’s most promising avenue for monetizing its Gemini technology.
