Google adds more AI tools to its Workspace productivity apps

Google is stepping up its game by integrating its top-tier AI models into its productivity suite, enhancing its Gemini features to make work smoother and more efficient. Today, the tech giant unveiled a series of updates to its Workspace products, introducing Audio Overviews and new ways to manage meetings more seamlessly.

Audio Overviews, initially launched in Google's acclaimed NotebookLM, now enables users to craft podcasts on any research topic they choose. Thanks to Gemini, you can now produce audio files from your uploaded documents and slides, or delve into in-depth research reports to generate audio summaries. These podcast-style audio files are easily downloadable, with Audio Overview creating voices that are grounded entirely in the provided documents.

Google has shared with VentureBeat that their testing revealed a preference among some users for learning through listening, especially when information is delivered in a conversational style.

Additionally, Google rolled out Canvas within Gemini, a feature that assists in drafting and refining text or code. Google touts Canvas as a tool to "generate, optimize and preview code," and these Canvas documents can be shared seamlessly with Google Docs.

Updated Calendars

Google has also made it easier for users to add events and meetings to their calendars. Gemini can now identify event details within emails and suggest adding them to your calendar. If you miss an email, the model will bring those potential appointments to your attention. While some plug-ins, like Boomerang, already offer similar features by highlighting appointments above the subject line, the new Gemini-powered calendar feature will prompt you with a Gemini chat window to remind you of the event.

Using AI to pull relevant data or events from emails is becoming a key function of enterprise AI assistants and agents. For instance, Microsoft's new agents sift through emails for useful input, while startups like Martin AI have AI assistants that manage calendars, emails, and to-do lists.

Melding Generative AI with Productivity

Last year, Google integrated Gemini chat into its Workspace, blending the standalone chat platform with Gmail, Google Docs, and Calendars. This move aligns Google more closely with Microsoft's Copilot, which has incorporated AI models into its productivity platforms, including Outlook.

As enterprises increasingly adopt AI features in the workplace, the regular use of tools like Gemini in Gmail and for research could significantly boost AI adoption rates.