Google I/O: Gmail is getting an AI voice tool that lets you talk to your inbox

Source: Mashable Tech

Gmail Live: AI voice integration

Soon you’ll be able to literally talk to your Gmail inbox. At its I/O developer conference, Google unveiled a new native AI voice integration feature for Gmail called Gmail Live.

The tool lets users get information from their emails by verbally asking Gmail, rather than typing keywords into its search bar. According to a company blog post, you can “Say things like, ‘What’s my flight’s gate number?’ or ‘What’s going on at my kid’s school this week?’ and Gmail Live will search your inbox to find the answer instantly.” Similar conversational features are coming to Google Docs and Keep, too.

Gmail Live launches this summer for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. Credit: Google

Gmail Live will be available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers this summer, and it will launch in preview to Google Workspace business customers at the same time.

AI Inbox expansion

Also at I/O, Google announced the expansion of its AI Inbox tool, originally rolled out to Google AI Ultra subscribers in January. The update adds three new features, and Google AI Pro and Plus subscribers will soon have access as well.

As Mashable’s Anna Iovine reported previously, AI Inbox acts as a personalized briefing, providing updates on topics you’ve received emails about and suggesting next steps.

AI Inbox’s new features include:

• Personalized draft replies
• Instant file access to relevant Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides
• Streamlined task management, allowing you to “keep your view clutter‑free by marking individual tasks as done, dismissing unhelpful suggestions, or marking all emails in a given topic as read with a single click.”

AI Inbox’s new features are rolling out today. Credit: Google

Google will begin deploying AI Inbox’s new features and broader availability starting today.

Privacy and trust

In an interview with Mashable, Gmail’s VP of product Blake Barnes said user privacy is central to both Gmail Live and AI Inbox. “We don’t use your data for training, and that remains the case for these features,” he explained.

Barnes added that Google is working to build trust with users who are hesitant to incorporate more AI in their inboxes by providing sourcing for AI‑generated content. “So, what are the specific emails that were used to generate the reply and the response that you just received?” he said. “It’s just one of the ways amongst many to give you confidence that the answer we’ve given you is the right and accurate one.”