Google is currently enthusiastic about its Gemini model, as evidenced by the integration of AI features across its suite of products. The latest update brings a range of new capabilities to Workspace, enhancing Docs, Sheets, Vids, Meet, and Chat, along with the introduction of an “agentic AI” feature called Workspace Flows.
Starting with Docs, new audio and AI writing features are on the way. The audio podcast functionality, first debuted in NotebookLM, has received positive feedback and is now being rolled out in more applications. It recently became available in Gemini and is expected to land in Google Docs shortly.
In case you’re unfamiliar, audio overviews deliver AI-generated summaries of your document in podcast format, hosted by two AI personas. It might sound unconventional, but Google claims that users have responded positively, with many finding it a useful tool for multitasking.
Beyond the podcast-style summaries, there’s also an option to generate an audio version of your document as-is. This feature aims to assist users in identifying odd phrasing or allowing them to review a document without needing to read it actively.
The next feature is called Help me refine. This isn’t simply a text generation tool; rather, it’s designed to provide “thoughtful suggestions” to enhance your writing’s language and content, encouraging personal engagement and skills development in communication and writing.
Tools that encourage users to engage proactively can sometimes be met with skepticism. Many people prefer tools that complete tasks automatically, and Google’s approach could be perceived as overly paternalistic. Yet, engaging with such features may ultimately be more beneficial than solely relying on AI tools that do all the work for you, as it might hinder skill development over time.
If this feature proves effective, it could pose a challenge for other writing assistance platforms, as users will likely prefer one tool over another to avoid confusion from dual prompts.
Next, Google Sheets introduces the Help me analyze bot, specifically designed to assist users in identifying trends and patterns that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. This feature can guide you to achieve your desired results without spending time on irrelevant tasks and instead focuses on enhancing your productivity.
In addition to these features, Vids will benefit from in-app video generation capabilities, while Meet introduces a personalized in-meeting assistant to help manage discussions you may have missed or prepare points to contribute. For those lengthy conversations on Chat, Gemini will soon allow you to request a concise summary.
Furthermore, Workspace will be equipped with its AI agents, called Gems, which facilitate the development of automated processes to enhance workflow efficiency. These agents are capable of reviewing documents within your Drive to gather context and guide their actions.
An example provided by Google showcases a customer support Gem that can examine request forms, identify issues, research possible solutions, draft responses, and flag them for team review before sending. The design emphasizes a careful balance, seeking human input to prevent significant mistakes that could undermine its effectiveness as a productivity tool.
These features will roll out gradually, with most expected to become available over the next few weeks or months, and the Sheets feature slated for a later release.
