Google updates Workspace to make AI your new office intern

At Google Cloud Next this week, Google announced a series of updates to Workspace, its subscription-based productivity suite for professionals. The upgrades focus heavily on AI, integrating new automation tools into workflows ranging from drafting emails to organizing spreadsheets.

The changes are designed to reduce busy work and streamline common office tasks, effectively positioning AI as a built-in assistant across Google’s productivity apps.

Workspace Intelligence

Workspace Intelligence is a new AI system built directly into Google’s office suite. It is designed to automate assistance across a range of tasks by drawing on a user’s Workspace data, including Gmail, Calendar, Chat, and Drive — covering Docs, Slides, and Sheets.

Google says users retain administrative control over what the AI system can see and access. Workspace Intelligence’s access to specific data sources can be disabled at any time. However, the company notes a tradeoff: the more data the system can access, the more effectively it can assist in those areas.

Building and Filling Google Sheets With Gemini

Google is also expanding Gemini’s capabilities within Google Sheets. New features allow users to build and populate spreadsheets using prompts.

Users can ask Gemini to construct a sheet, including formatting and data retrieval instructions, enabling the AI system to handle tasks that would previously require manual setup. Gemini also supports data entry through “prompt-based” filling.

Google claims the new feature allows users to populate spreadsheets “9x faster” than manual entry, as the system is designed to infer what users intend to enter. Another new Sheets feature converts unstructured data into organized tables.

AI Writing in Google Docs

Google has introduced new AI writing tools in Google Docs powered by Workspace Intelligence. With Gemini, users can “generate, write, and refine” documents directly within Docs.

The system draws on data from a user’s Drive, Chat, and Gmail archives, as well as information from the internet, to assist with editorial tasks. Users can prompt Gemini with commands such as “help me write” or ask it to “match” their writing style so the AI can mimic their voice more effectively.

Enterprise Focus and Competition

As tech companies increasingly target enterprise customers, they are racing to deliver more efficient office tools that make everyday work easier. Google benefits from the widespread adoption of its office products, giving it a built-in audience for these AI upgrades.

However, the company faces competition from Microsoft, Apple, and a growing number of startups vying for dominance in AI-powered workplace software.