Google has expanded its use of Gemini AI across its Google Workspace applications with new features that enable users to create and edit content with Google’s Docs, Slides, and Sheets applications. Google has made a number of updates to its applications to make it easier to get work done with AI-powered assistance directly within the applications users already know and use.
According to Julie Geller, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group, Google has made a number of updates to its applications that are more practical rather than revolutionary. Instead of creating new applications, Google has made updates to its existing applications such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.
One of the biggest updates to Google’s applications is to its Google Docs application. Google has introduced its new feature called ‘Help Me Create’ that allows users to create content by entering instructions. Users of Google Docs can use the feature to create content with information gathered from other Google Workspace applications such as Gmail messages, Chat conversations, and files stored on Google Drive.
Once it has produced this draft, it can also refine it. For example, it can edit specific sections of content, change wording, and maintain a writing style throughout the document. This is helpful for teams who want to keep documents unified, even if multiple team members are working on the same document. The new “Match Doc” tool is also available, which lets users add content into templates while maintaining tone and style.
Google has found these tools are helping remove one of the biggest barriers to many office workers: getting started. Yulie Kwon Kim is Google Workspace’s vice president of product. She said, “For many employees, it can be hard to get started on writing documents and emails. They can spend time searching through their inbox and documents before they can finally start writing their first draft.” The system does this automatically with Gemini.
Gemini is also giving Google users powerful new features within Google Sheets. Users can now turn raw data into dashboards and reports using natural language. Users can simply ask Google what they want to see, and it will automatically analyze it.
In this process, Gemini explains its steps and asks questions if it is not clear. Once it is approved, it performs the task and creates the final spreadsheet structure.
Another new tool in Google Sheets is “Fill with Gemini.” This tool helps users fill data in a spreadsheet more efficiently. For instance, if headers in a column have data like company headquarters, revenue, and market capitalization, it can fetch data related to it from the internet and fill it in for users.
Gemini in Google Sheets claims to have achieved near-human accuracy in its internal tests. However, hallucinations are always a concern with AI technology. In order to avoid hallucinations in its technology, it provides links to sources so that users can cross-verify the data before making business decisions.
This update shows how Google is working towards making AI its internal collaborator in its suite of productivity tools. By making Gemini part of its Workspace apps, Google is working towards helping professionals work faster and complete tasks more efficiently without having to do anything in between.
