TL;DR
Google has begun a beta for Gemini called Personal Intelligence that can draw on a user's Google apps — Gmail, Photos, Calendar, Drive, YouTube and Search services — to tailor responses. The feature is off by default, limited initially to US AI Pro and Ultra subscribers with personal accounts, and includes privacy controls and opt-in app connections.
What happened
Google announced a beta launch of Personal Intelligence inside the Gemini app. The feature lets Gemini reference information stored across a user’s Google ecosystem — including Workspace apps (Gmail, Calendar, Drive), Google Photos, YouTube watch history and Search-related services such as Maps, Shopping, Flights and Hotels — to produce more personalized answers. Google presented examples where Gemini draws on photos, emails and other stored items to recommend products, pull a license plate from a Photo or propose travel and entertainment options based on past activity. Personal Intelligence is disabled by default and users selectively connect apps. Responses will indicate which connected sources were used and a new “Answer now” control replaces the prior “Skip” option so users can see the model’s reasoning. Google also permits correcting preferences, running responses without personalization and using temporary chats as guardrails.
Why it matters
- Tight integration with a user’s existing Google data could make AI responses more context-aware and practically useful for everyday tasks.
- Opt-in controls and on-device referencing aim to keep sensitive assets within a user’s Google account rather than routing data elsewhere.
- Personal Intelligence raises trade-offs between convenience and potential over-personalization or incorrect inferences from personal data.
- The feature is a step beyond chat history personalization and signals how major AI assistants may leverage broader app ecosystems.
Key facts
- Personal Intelligence can reference text, photos and videos across Google apps to tailor replies.
- Supported sources listed include Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Drive), Google Photos, YouTube watch history and Search services (Search, Shopping, News, Maps, Google Flights and Hotels).
- The beta is initially available to AI Pro and Ultra subscribers with personal Google accounts in the US; rollout to eligible users occurs over the coming week.
- Personal Intelligence is off by default; users choose which apps to connect and can disable personalization for regenerated replies.
- Gemini will indicate and explain the connected sources used for a given response and introduces an “Answer now” button to reveal its reasoning.
- Google says it does not train the main model directly on a user’s Gmail or Photos; it trains on limited data like prompts and model responses after filtering or obfuscation.
- Controls include correcting Gemini about preferences, temporary chats, and the ability to thumbs-down responses that are inaccurate or over-personalized.
- Google notes specific risks such as inaccurate answers and mistaken assumptions tied to timing or relationship changes, and warns about over-personalization.
What to watch next
- Rollout to the free Gemini tier, additional countries, and integration into AI Mode in Search, which Google says will come in the future.
- Accuracy and personalization limits — Google flags possible mistakes and over-personalization, so real-world feedback will shape refinement.
- not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Gemini: Google’s family of large language models and the companion app that offers chat-based AI assistance.
- Personal Intelligence (beta): A Gemini feature that can reference a user’s connected Google apps to tailor responses and recommendations.
- Google Workspace: Productivity and collaboration apps from Google such as Gmail, Calendar and Drive.
- Model training: The process of improving an AI system’s behavior using data; companies often distinguish between training on user data and using it only at query time.
Reader FAQ
Who can access Personal Intelligence now?
AI Pro and Ultra subscribers with personal Google accounts in the US are being offered the beta first; broader availability is planned.
Does Google train Gemini directly on my Gmail or Photos?
Google states Gemini does not train directly on a user’s Gmail inbox or Photos library; it trains on limited information like prompts and responses after filtering or obfuscation.
Is Personal Intelligence enabled automatically?
No — the feature is off by default and users must opt in and select which apps to connect.
How do I enable the feature?
Open Gemini, tap your profile photo for Settings, choose Personal Intelligence and then select Connected Apps (Gmail, Photos, etc.).
Will regulators or privacy groups respond to this launch?
not confirmed in the source
Gemini rolling out ‘Personal Intelligence’ beta that uses Gmail & your Google apps data Abner Li Jan 14 2026 APPS & UPDATES GEMINI GEMINI APP Gemini rolling out ‘Personal Intelligence’…
Sources
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