VENDORiQ: AI-Powered Writing Features for Google Docs and Gmail Launched

Why It’s Important

Google’s Workspace users have already been exposed to autocomplete features using AI in Gmail through Smart Compose and Smart Reply. However, the embedding of generative AI can raise the productivity of Workspace users in the form of writing assistance. It could offer rapid responses for customer service teams when replying to client queries, or summarise information from long meeting transcripts.

Google clarified that users need not worry about data privacy for these new services since the company will not be using that data in its training models. To ensure this, Google will be isolating customer data each time they enter information in Workspace. However, IBRS reminds enterprises to still remain cautious when using Workspace or any of Google’s AI-embedded platforms given its history of being embroiled in data-privacy controversies. For example, Project Nimbus and the company’s user location tracking activities after they had opted out across Google’s Android OS, search, and maps services. 

Who’s Impacted

• Desktop/end-user computing teams
• Customer service teams

What’s Next?

• Monitor Google’s upcoming features across its suite of productivity tools in the coming months and determine how this can impact the productivity of organisations. These features include the ability to automatically generate images, audio, and video for Slides, auto-completion and formula generation in Sheets, note capture in Meet sessions, and workflow process generation for Chat.  

Related IBRS Advisory

1. VENDORiQ: Google’s Botched Launch of Bard Reveals a Bigger Problem

2. VENDORiQ: Why Microsoft GPT Superpowers Go Far Beyond Bing