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Introduction
Google is constantly evolving the way we interact with its services. Recently, Gmail introduced an update that uses Gemini AI to automatically summarize emails, making it easier to stay on top of long email threads or catch up quickly while on the go. This new feature aims to streamline your inbox by providing relevant summaries at the top of your emails. But as with any change, it comes with its pros and cons. Let’s explore what this feature entails, how it works, and how to turn it off if you prefer not to use it.
Automatic Gemini Summaries in Gmail: What’s New?
Last summer, Google introduced Gemini, a smart AI that could summarize individual emails or long email threads in Gmail. This feature was useful for people who had to quickly get through email chains while on their mobile devices or smaller screens. However, it required manual activation through the Gemini sidebar, which meant users had to remember to trigger the feature each time.
Fast forward to today, and Google has made a significant change. Starting this week, some Gmail users (especially those on Workspace accounts) will start seeing automatic summary cards at the top of emails. This change applies primarily to mobile users and only for English-language emails. The summaries appear when Gemini detects that they’re helpful—such as when an email thread is long or filled with multiple replies. These summaries condense the main points of the email, and they update as new replies come in.
The key difference?
Now, users don’t have to manually click to trigger the Gemini summary. Instead, the AI will automatically decide when a summary would be beneficial. If no automatic summary is provided, users can still opt to use the Gemini sidebar to generate one manually.
The feature is rolling out gradually, which means it might take up to two weeks before all users see the update. Currently, it’s only available on Android and iOS devices for Workspace accounts, and the summaries are only available for emails in English.
How to Turn Off Gemini Summaries
While the new feature can be a useful addition, some users may not want to see these automatic summaries. Luckily, Google offers an option to turn off the Gemini AI feature entirely, though doing so will disable other smart features as well. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to the Gmail settings by clicking the gear icon in the top right corner.
- Navigate to “All Settings” and scroll down to find “Workspace Smart Features.”
- Click on “Manage Workspace Smart Feature Settings” and toggle off “Smart Features in Google Workspace.”
Once disabled, you’ll lose not just the summaries but also features like suggested replies, smart drafting, and easy calendar integration.
What Undercode Say:
The Gemini feature in Gmail represents a significant leap forward in email productivity. The automatic summaries are designed to save users time by providing an at-a-glance overview of long or complicated email threads. This could particularly benefit people who struggle to keep up with fast-moving conversations, such as in work environments or customer support settings.
While the automatic summaries will undoubtedly improve efficiency for many users, it’s important to understand the underlying concerns. Gemini’s AI is highly advanced, but it’s still AI. This means that, while the summaries are designed to be helpful, they may not always be completely accurate or capture the nuance of every email. It’s crucial for users to cross-check these summaries, especially in high-stakes or sensitive contexts, to avoid missing key details.
On the flip side, the rollout is still limited to English emails, and only a subset of Gmail users (those with Workspace accounts on Android and iOS) will see this feature. As it continues to roll out, there will likely be tweaks and improvements, particularly around accuracy and language support.
The most significant trade-off here is that users who prefer a more traditional, manual approach to email management will find the automatic summaries intrusive. Google has provided the option to turn off the feature, but doing so also disables other highly functional features that enhance the Gmail experience. It’s a balancing act between convenience and control.
For those who embrace the idea of an AI-assisted inbox, this update is a welcome change. For others, it could be seen as an unnecessary complication.
Fact Checker Results 🧐
The Gemini summary feature in Gmail is designed to automatically generate key email highlights for users.
The feature is available exclusively to Workspace users on mobile devices, and only for emails in English.
Users can turn off
Prediction 📈
As AI-driven tools like Gemini continue to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated features to be rolled out across Gmail and other Google services. In the near future, it’s likely that more languages will be supported, and accuracy will improve as Gemini learns from user interactions. For businesses, this could become a key productivity tool, offering quick access to critical email information without having to read through every thread. However, there will still be a group of users who prefer to manually manage their inbox without relying on AI-assisted summaries.
References:
Reported By: www.zdnet.com
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