TL;DR
Google is adding a feature called Personal Intelligence to Gemini that can reason across a user’s Gmail, Google Photos, Search and YouTube history to deliver more personalized answers. The capability is opt-in, launches as a US beta for eligible Google AI Pro and AI Ultra personal accounts, and is powered by Gemini 3 models.
What happened
Google announced a new Personal Intelligence capability for its Gemini chatbot that can draw on data from a user’s Google account—including Gmail, Google Photos, Search and YouTube history—to deliver personalized responses. Unlike prior integrations that required explicit retrieval requests, Personal Intelligence is built to reason across those data sources and surface relevant details without step-by-step prompts. Google presented scenarios where Gemini suggests options based on past trips found in Photos, pulls a license-plate number from an image, and checks email to identify a vehicle trim, then aggregates ratings and prices. The feature is opt-in and lets users choose which apps to connect. Google says it has implemented guardrails for sensitive topics, is testing to reduce mistakes and over-personalization, and that Gemini doesn’t train directly on users’ Gmail or Photos libraries—though it does learn from limited items such as specific prompts and responses. Personal Intelligence will begin as a US beta for eligible AI Pro and AI Ultra personal accounts.
Why it matters
- Could make AI answers more relevant by combining signals from search history, emails and photos rather than treating each source in isolation.
- Raises new privacy and security considerations because the assistant can access personal content across multiple Google services.
- May change how people interact with chatbots—reducing manual lookups but increasing reliance on the model’s inferred connections.
- Potential for incorrect or inappropriate inferences exists; Google acknowledges risks like over-personalization and timing errors and is working on fixes.
Key facts
- Personal Intelligence lets Gemini access Gmail, Google Photos, Search and YouTube history to inform replies.
- The capability is powered by Google’s Gemini 3 models.
- It can reason across account data to surface details without explicit, per-app requests.
- Users must opt in and can choose which Google apps to connect to Gemini.
- Google says Gemini doesn’t train directly on Gmail inboxes or Photos libraries, but it does train on limited information such as specific prompts and model responses.
- Google warns of possible inaccurate responses, 'over-personalization,' and timing/nuance problems like relationship changes.
- Personal Intelligence will roll out as a beta in the US for eligible Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers and only for personal Google accounts.
- Google plans to expand the feature to more countries and eventually to Gemini’s free tier; it will also arrive in Search’s AI Mode soon.
What to watch next
- Planned expansion to additional countries and availability on the free Gemini tier (confirmed in the source).
- Integration of Personal Intelligence into AI Mode in Google Search 'soon' (confirmed in the source).
- Whether Google will extend the feature to work with business or enterprise Google accounts (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Personal Intelligence: A Gemini feature that combines information from a user’s connected Google apps to give personalized responses.
- Gemini 3: The generation of Google’s large AI models that power the latest Gemini capabilities.
- Opt-in: A setting that requires a user’s explicit permission before a product can access certain data or features.
- Guardrails: Controls and policies implemented to limit AI behavior on sensitive topics and reduce harmful or unwelcome outputs.
Reader FAQ
Do I have to enable Personal Intelligence?
Yes. Google says Personal Intelligence is an opt-in feature and users select which apps to connect.
Will Gemini train on my Gmail inbox or Google Photos?
Google states Gemini does not train directly on Gmail or Photos libraries, though it does train on limited data such as specific prompts and the model’s responses.
Who can use Personal Intelligence now?
It’s launching as a US beta for eligible Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers on personal Google accounts.
Will Gemini make assumptions about sensitive information like health?
Google says Gemini aims to avoid proactively assuming sensitive data such as health, but it will discuss such data if the user asks.
NEWS AI TECH Google’s Gemini AI will use what it knows about you from Gmail, Search, and YouTube With Personal Intelligence, Gemini can give you more personalized answers to your…
Sources
- Google’s Gemini AI will use what it knows about you from Gmail, Search, and YouTube
- Introducing Gemini, your new personal AI assistant
- Google connects Gemini to users' emails and photos in …
- Gmail is entering the Gemini era
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