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Google has been in the AI game for a while, and this isn’t their first attempt at enhancing email writing. Previously, Google offered a “Help Me Write” feature that used AI to create emails from scratch. However, with this new update, they’ve improved the tool by adding more options to tailor your messages. You might be familiar with options like “Formalize,” “Elaborate,” and “Shorten,” which help adjust the tone and length of your messages. Now, there’s a “Polish” option available, which takes things a step further by refining your email drafts, even turning rough notes into well-structured messages.
On mobile devices, you can access the “Help Me Write” tool directly within the body of your email. Just tap the shortcut to start using it.
How Does the New Polishing Feature Work?
When you’ve written 12 words or more in your draft, a shortcut called “Refine My Draft” will appear. From there, you can choose from four different options: Shorten, Formalize, Elaborate, or Polish. These options give you the flexibility to tweak your emails according to the situation—whether you need a quick summary, a more detailed explanation, or a polished version of what you’ve written.
However, it’s worth noting that these features are only available to certain users. You need to be subscribed to Google Workspace with the Gemini Business and Enterprise add-on, the Gemini Education and Education Premium add-on, or Google One AI Premium. If you fall into one of these categories, the feature will be turned on automatically.
Should You Use Gemini AI for All Your Emails?
While these AI tools are convenient, it’s important to think about when and where to use them. They can be incredibly helpful for business emails, where a polished tone is crucial. However, for more personal notes, relying too much on AI might not be the best idea. A recent example comes from a TV commercial that Google aired during the Paris Olympics. In the ad, a father talks about how his daughter used AI to write a note to her favourite Olympic athlete. The ad received significant backlash, with many viewers arguing that using AI to craft such a personal message took away the authenticity and charm that comes from a child’s own words.
Connie Guglielmo, a commentator from CNET, expressed a similar sentiment, calling it a “massive parental fail.” She pointed out that part of what makes fan letters from kids so special is their honesty and imperfections, which are often lost when AI steps in to “perfect” the message. Google eventually pulled the ad after the negative feedback.
A Look at Google’s Gemini AI
Gemini, previously known as Bard, is Google’s AI chatbot that first launched in March 2023. It was designed to compete with other AI systems like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. But like any AI, Gemini isn’t without its flaws. It has been known to “hallucinate” or generate information that isn’t accurate, which is why users need to be cautious and not rely entirely on its outputs.
The “Help Me Write” feature, which includes the new Polishing option, became widely available in June 2023, and it’s part of Google’s broader vision for AI-powered virtual assistants. Unlike the older Google Assistant, Gemini is designed to do more than just answer questions. It’s intended to help users complete tasks and manage their digital lives more efficiently.
For example, Gemini can have in-depth conversations, understand context, and work with different types of inputs like text, images, and sound. It’s not just an upgraded version of Google Assistant—it’s a whole new kind of digital helper that’s integrated deeply into Google’s ecosystem, especially on Android devices.
What’s Next for Gemini?
Google sees Gemini as a key part of the future of smartphones and virtual assistants. The company envisions a world where AI like Gemini can handle tasks on your behalf, whether that’s managing your calendar, generating images, or even interacting with other apps. For now, though, the focus is on refining the basics, like helping you craft better emails.
As AI continues to evolve, tools like Gemini will likely become even more personalized, learning from your habits and preferences to provide even more tailored assistance. So while it’s important to use these tools thoughtfully, there’s no doubt that they’re going to play a bigger role in how we communicate and manage our digital lives in the years to come.
