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Saturday, November 2, 2024

Gmail unveils AI-driven writing assistants for better communication

For now, only Google One AI Premium subscribers and Workspace customers with the Gemini add-on can access these enhancements.

Google has extended its AI-powered “Help me write” feature to Gmail’s web platform. This popular tool, previously exclusive to mobile devices, is designed to enhance drafting and editing emails. Now, with additional functionalities like the “polish” shortcut, the upgrade promises Workspace and Google One AI Premium users even greater efficiency in managing their correspondence.

Seamless Email Drafting with “Help Me Write”

First introduced at Google I/O, the “Help me write” tool offers various levels of assistance for users drafting emails. The AI feature can create new drafts or modify existing emails, providing options to formalize, expand, or shorten messages. This flexibility helps users add polish and clarity to their communication, making it especially useful for both professional and personal correspondence.

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When users start a blank draft on the web version of Gmail, a prompt will now appear inviting them to use the “Help me write” feature. The same feature had previously been available on Gmail’s mobile app, where it gained popularity due to its capacity to save time and simplify message formatting.

However, it’s important to note that access to this AI-driven tool is limited. It is available only to subscribers of Google One AI Premium, along with Google Workspace users who have the Gemini add-on, which includes Business, Enterprise, Education, and Education Premium packages.

New “Polish” Shortcut for Quick Refinements

Alongside “Help me write,” Google is debuting a new “polish” shortcut designed to streamline email refinement. This feature allows users to quickly enhance drafts by refining language, improving structure, and clarifying tone. Users can activate the “polish” shortcut either by clicking on the option or pressing the Ctrl + H keyboard command. This shortcut will automatically appear when the draft contains more than 12 words.

On mobile devices, Gmail’s previous “Refine my draft” shortcut has been replaced with the “polish” feature. Instead of multiple swipes for editing, users can now access instant refinements with a single swipe. The app will automatically improve clarity and readability, while additional options such as “formalize,” “elaborate,” and “shorten” remain accessible for further customization.

Enhanced AI Capabilities for Professional Communication

Google’s latest updates to Gmail’s AI writing tools are tailored for users looking to enhance the professionalism of their emails. The “polish” shortcut is particularly valuable for those who need to maintain a formal tone or eliminate ambiguities in business emails. Both the “Help me write” and “polish” functions are intended to make correspondence easier and more effective by reducing the time spent editing and proofreading.

While some may see AI as a potential interference, Google has taken steps to ensure these tools enhance rather than hinder the writing process. Importantly, the AI-powered shortcuts are activated by default and cannot be turned off, either by end users or administrators. This ensures that Workspace customers with access to these tools can utilize them instantly without needing to configure settings.

Rolling Out the Features Gradually

Google announced that the gradual rollout of these new functionalities will begin immediately. Both the “Help me write” and “polish” shortcuts will be made available incrementally over the coming days, ensuring users worldwide have access soon.

With the addition of Gemini AI into Gmail, Google aims to revolutionize the email drafting experience, making it more intuitive and user-friendly. This move is part of Google’s broader AI initiative, which seeks to integrate advanced machine learning across its platforms to simplify daily tasks for its users.

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For now, only Google One AI Premium subscribers and Workspace customers with the Gemini add-on can access these enhancements, but as Google continues to innovate, these tools may reach more users in the future, further transforming the digital workspace.