Access Gemini Easily in Gmail and Docs: Now Available in the Google Apps Side Panel

Google is expanding its Gemini-powered AI automation across more tasks in Workspace. During the recent Google I/O keynote, the company announced that the advanced Gemini 1.5 Pro will soon be integrated into the Workspace side panel, acting as “the connective tissue across multiple applications with AI-powered workflows.” As AI technology evolves, it will learn more about users, streamlining and automating workflows.

Gemini's role in Workspace is to help you save time and effort by locating files, emails, and data across various apps. Google Workspace VP Aparna Pappu emphasized, "Workspace in the Gemini era will continue to unlock new ways of getting things done."

The enhanced Workspace side panel, initially available in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive, allows users to interact with Gemini to better manage their content. With its extended context window—essentially, its memory—Gemini can organize and contextualize data from different applications seamlessly. For instance, it can help compare receipt attachments, summarize lengthy email threads, or highlight key points from meeting recordings.

A practical use case shared by Google involved planning a family reunion. If your grandmother asks for hotel details, you can instruct Gemini with, “What is the hotel name and sales manager email listed in @Family Reunion 2024?” Gemini will quickly locate the relevant Google Doc and provide you with the information, which you can easily insert into your response.

Additionally, updates are coming to the Gmail mobile app, where Gemini will analyze email threads and offer summarized views with key highlights, just as it does in the side panel. This email summarization feature will debut in Workspace Labs this month, while the upgraded side panel will start rolling out to Workspace Labs and Gemini for Workspace Alpha users on Tuesday. All features are expected to be available for the broader Workspace community and Google One AI Premium users next month.