Google has officially introduced a groundbreaking AI Inbox for Gmail, aimed at delivering a tailored experience that enhances task management and keeps users updated with essential notifications. Along with this innovative feature, Gmail is launching AI Overviews for search functionality, along with a new “Proofread” tool that offers writing assistance akin to Grammarly. Notably, features previously reserved for paid subscribers will now be accessible to all users.
The AI Inbox includes two main sections: “Suggested to-dos” and “Topics to catch up on.” In the Suggested to-dos section, users will see highlighted emails that require immediate action, such as reminders for upcoming bills or messages prompting important confirmations like prescription refill shipments.
Similarly, the “Topics to catch up on” section provides updates grouped by categories such as “Finances” and “Purchases.” Users might see notifications like, “Your Lululemon return is being processed” or “Your end-of-year statement is now available from Wealthfront.”
Blake Barnes, VP of Product at Google, emphasized the value of this newly introduced AI Inbox. “This feature reflects Gmail’s commitment to proactively assist users in managing their tasks efficiently,” he noted. “The traditional inbox will continue to be available; this is merely an alternative view that helps filter out unnecessary incoming emails.”
The AI Inbox function is currently being rolled out to selected testers, with plans for broader availability in the coming months.
In addition to the AI Inbox, Gmail now supports natural language queries in its search feature through AI Overviews. Instead of relying solely on keyword searches, users can ask questions like, “Who was the plumber that gave me a quote for the bathroom renovation last year?” The system efficiently pulls relevant information from emails and highlights key responses.
Blake added, “We analyze each email in your inbox to deliver the answers directly at the top, making it easier than ever to find the information you need.”
This AI-enhanced search capability is set to launch for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.
Google reassures users that all new AI features are optional, emphasizing that personal content is not used to train foundational models and that data is handled in a secure, isolated environment.
The newly introduced Proofread tool is designed to refine writing quality by suggesting improvements for clarity, structure, and word choice. For instance, it might recommend replacing “might inflict disturbance” with “might disturb,” and it flags incorrect word usages like confusing “weather” with “whether.”
This tool aims to provide users with a reliable proofreading option, potentially reducing dependency on third-party services like Grammarly or inputting emails into platforms like ChatGPT for editing.
While the new features are launching initially for select users, Google announced that other capabilities, including “Help Me Write,” AI Overviews for threaded emails, and “Suggested Replies,” will be made available to all users—features that were previously exclusive to paid subscribers. Help Me Write assists in email composition from a single prompt, while AI Overviews summarize longer email threads and Suggested Replies generate contextually relevant responses tailored to the user’s conversational style.
