GMail Introduces AI Summaries By Default On Android And iOS

Google has begun rolling out automatic AI-generated email summaries in the GMail app for Android and iOS. This update represents a shift from Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, being an optional feature to becoming a standard tool for certain users. The aim is to provide a quicker overview of long or multi-reply conversations without requiring manual input.

Previously, AI-generated summaries had to be triggered manually. Now, they appear automatically at the top of selected emails. The Gemini assistant determines when a summary is relevant based on the structure and content of the conversation. Typically, summaries are generated for extended email threads or discussions with numerous responses. These summaries are presented as concise bullet points and update dynamically as new messages are added to the conversation.

Initially, this feature is being made available to Google Workspace users, Google One subscribers with the AI Premium plan, and users with Gemini Education add-ons. For now, it is limited to emails written in English and only available on mobile devices.

Users who prefer not to use AI summaries can opt out, but doing so comes with a trade-off. Disabling this feature requires turning off Gmail’s “smart features” entirely. This action also disables useful functionalities such as priority notifications, package tracking, smart reply, and writing suggestions.

The summarization feature is powered by large language models (LLMs)—the same technology that underpins modern AI assistants and chatbots. These models analyze email content to generate summaries, and in turn, Google may use anonymized data from emails to improve its AI systems.

By introducing automatic AI summaries, Google signals a broader strategy to integrate generative AI into its core products. The update is part of an ongoing effort to enhance Gmail’s efficiency for users who manage high volumes of emails. However, there is no official timeline for when this feature will become available for personal Gmail accounts or for the web version of Gmail.

Filed in Cellphones. Read more about AI (Artificial Intelligence), GMail and Google.