Google is upgrading Workspace, its suite of cloud-based productivity tools, with new AI capabilities.
The suite is gaining Workspace Flows, a tool designed to automate multi-step processes such as updating spreadsheets and digging through documents for information. Flows can tap Gems, Google’s brand of custom AI-powered chatbots, to handle specialized tasks, and it can also integrate with apps like Google Drive to retrieve data.
“Simply describe what you need in plain language, and Workspace Flows will design and build sophisticated, logic-driven flows,” Yulie Kwon Kim, VP of product for Google Workspace, wrote in a blog post provided to TechCrunch. “We’re also working with partners to connect Workspace Flows to other third-party tools you rely on, enabling it to support workflows beyond Workspace.”
The enhancements come as Google looks to make Workspace, which competes with platforms such as Microsoft 365, an AI-first experience. The search giant first began adding generative AI functionality to Workspace in March 2023, and recently eliminated additional fees for certain AI workspace features — though it did increase the price of Workspace plans.
Elsewhere in Workspace, Google Docs will soon get the ability to convert drafts into podcast-style overviews, à la NotebookLM’s Audio Overviews, and revise snippets of copy. An upcoming feature called “Help me refine” will offer suggestions on how to strengthen arguments, improve structure, and make points clearer, said Kim.
In Google Sheets, a new feature set to arrive later this year, “Help me analyze,” will provide guidance, spotlight trends, and help create interactive charts. In Google Meet, a tool called “Take notes for me” can summarize and recap specific topics from video calls. Google Chat users will be able to invoke Google’s Gemini chatbot by typing “@gemini” in any conversation.
Google Vids, Google’s AI-powered video creation app for work, will soon be able to generate video clips using Google’s Veo 2 model, which Google is integrating with the app.
Lastly, Google said it’s introducing new data residency controls that will allow customers to restrict where their data is processed to help comply with regulations such as the EU’s GDPR.
Kyle Wiggers is TechCrunch’s AI Editor. His writing has appeared in VentureBeat and Digital Trends, as well as a range of gadget blogs including Android Police, Android Authority, Droid-Life, and XDA-Developers. He lives in Manhattan with his partner, a music therapist.
