Google makes Gemini personalization available to free users

Google has announced the expansion of its Gemini feature, Personal Intelligence, to free users in the US. Initially introduced at the beginning of the year, Personal Intelligence allows the chatbot to generate personalized responses by accessing information from users' other Google apps and services. The rollout begins with AI Mode, where users can enable Personal Intelligence by selecting options in their profile to connect Workspace and Google Photos. Following the US launch, international availability is expected in the coming weeks (TechCrunch). In addition to Personal Intelligence, Google has rolled out new capabilities powered by Gemini across its Workspace applications, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. This rollout commenced on March 10, 2023, and is currently available in beta for Google AI Ultra and Pro subscribers, as well as Gemini Alpha business customers, with initial availability in English only (Engadget, Ars Technica). The primary objective of these updates is to enhance user productivity by making the applications more personal and efficient (Wired). In Google Docs, the new "Help me create" feature enables users to generate formatted first drafts by pulling context from various sources, such as Drive, Gmail, Google Chat, and the web based on user prompts. This tool aims to streamline the document creation process, particularly since over a third of new documents are created from copies of existing files. Gemini can also adapt to match the writing style or formatting of a reference document (TechCrunch, Ars Technica). For Google Sheets, Gemini can construct entire spreadsheets from natural language prompts, utilizing data from users' files, emails, and other sources, thereby reducing manual effort in spreadsheet creation. In Slides, the Gemini assistant can assist in designing presentations, while in Drive, it can answer questions related to stored files. These updates collectively enhance the functionality of Google Workspace, making it easier for users to create and manage content across different platforms (Engadget, Wired).