Google Introduces Duet AI With Generative AI Features for Workspace Users

Google has announced major updates for its Google Workspace suite of apps at the annual I/O conference. Dubbed Duet AI for Google Workspace, the new generative AI tools are coming to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps.

“Duet AI already works behind the scenes in Workspace to help you write — whether it’s refining existing work or helping you get started in both Gmail and Docs. Now we’re bringing this experience to Gmail mobile — imagine being on your phone and having the ability to draft complete responses with just a few words as a prompt,” said Aparna Pappu, GM and Vice President of Google Workspace.

Google Slides

In Google Slides, the new Duet AI will allow users to create original images from text-based prompts. Users will be able to enter the text prompts in the “Help me visualize” side panel. Moreover, users can choose between various styles, such as none, illustration, photography, background, clip art, and flat lay.

Google Docs

Later this month, Google Docs users will be able to use Duet AI to create documents with natural language prompts. They can summon the AI assistant to proofread entire documents and provide contextual suggestions. The proofreading capabilities will begin rolling out to Google Workspace commercial users in the next few months.

Google Sheets

With Duet AI, Google Sheets users can use the “Help me organize” field to automatically create tables in the spreadsheet software. For instance, users can provide a roaster of customers and then generate a spreadsheet. The feature should make it easier for users to create custom plans for projects and tasks.

Google Meet

Google highlighted that the new generative AI features will enable users to generate custom backgrounds for video calls in Google Meet. The company plans to roll out support for custom backgrounds in Google Meet in the coming months.

How to get started with Google’s Duet AI

To try out the new Duet AI capabilities, Google Workspace users will need to sign up to join the wishlist for Workspace Labs. “We’re designing our products in accordance with Google’s AI Principles that keep the user in control, letting AI make suggestions that you’re able to accept, edit, and change,” Pappu added. Google also plans to roll out administrative controls to help IT admins configure and manage policies within their organizations.

The announcement of Google’s Duet AI comes a few days after the launch of the Microsoft 365 Copilot Early Access Program this week. The Microsoft 365 Copilot tool allows users to generate and summarize data from spreadsheets and documents. It’s great to see that Google is taking steps to make Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet more useful for Google Workspace customers.

Google has also released Duet AI for Google Cloud capabilities for developers in limited preview. If you’re interested, we invite you to check out our separate post for details.

More Google I/O news on Petri:
Google Announces Duet AI But Can It Compete with Microsoft 365 Copilot?