3 min read
Google just made its AI assistant significantly more useful. On Wednesday, the tech giant announced a new beta feature for the Gemini app called “Personal Intelligence”. This update allows Gemini to tailor responses by connecting across your entire Google ecosystem, starting with Gmail, Photos, Search, and YouTube history.
While Gemini could retrieve information from these apps before, it can now “reason” across your data. This means the AI understands context without you explicitly telling it where to look. It delivers proactive results, like connecting a thread in your emails to a video you recently watched.
Gemini Reasoning Across Your Life
The core strength of “Personal Intelligence” lies in its ability to combine complex sources. Josh Woodward, VP of the Gemini app, highlighted how the feature moves beyond simple answers.
For example, when Woodward needed tyres for his car, Gemini didn’t just find the size. It identified family road trip photos in Google Photos and suggested all-weather tyres based on that context. In another instance, the AI pulled a forgotten license plate number directly from a picture in his library.
The feature also shines in travel planning. By analysing past trips and interests in Gmail and Photos, Gemini helped plan a spring break that skipped tourist traps. Instead, it suggested an overnight train journey and specific board games for the ride.
Privacy & Control First
Google knows not everyone wants AI digging through their personal history. Consequently, Personal Intelligence is off by default. You must choose to connect your apps. The onboarding screen explicitly states:
This is a beta feature, and you can turn it off anytime.
If you do opt in, Gemini only uses this feature when it determines it will be helpful. Furthermore, Google has established strict guardrails. The AI avoids making proactive assumptions about sensitive topics like health, although it will discuss this data if you specifically ask.
Most importantly, Gemini does not train directly on your Gmail inbox or Google Photos library. It only trains on specific prompts and the model’s responses. Your personal photos and emails are merely referenced to generate the immediate answer.
Availability
This beta experience is currently rolling out to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the United States. Google plans to expand the feature to more countries and the Gemini free tier in the future.
Subscribers can test the feature now with prompts like:
Help me plan my weekend based on things I like to do.
Recommend some documentaries based on what I’ve been curious about.
