Google will offer free artificial intelligence in Gmail and Docs, but will raise the cost of Workspace.

Google has decided to eliminate the additional cost associated with using all artificial intelligence features within its Workspace applications, such as Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Meet. Previously, users had to pay a supplement of $20 per month to access the Gemini Business plan, but starting now, this option will be free. This change comes in the context of strong competition with other companies like Microsoft and OpenAI in the development of AI-powered digital workplaces.

However, there is a condition: as part of this update, Google will raise the prices of all Workspace plans. Jerry Dischler, head of Google Cloud Applications, has indicated that companies will see an approximate increase of $2 more per user per month, raising the base subscription price from $12 to $14. The figures may vary due to the complex contracts that different organizations handle.

Among the functionalities offered by the use of artificial intelligence in Workspace are email summaries in Gmail, automatically generated designs for spreadsheets and videos, and an automated assistant for taking notes in meetings. The powerful research assistant NotebookLM and writing tools are also integrated across the various applications. Additionally, users will have access to the Gemini bot, which is considered one of Google’s most advanced AI tools, capable of performing chatbot tasks and helping find information or search through the user's documents.

Dischler emphasizes that Google has a highly integrated AI product, but its success will depend on how users utilize the system as a whole. Previously, many clients were hesitant to adopt AI due to the associated costs, but now, with the elimination of additional fees, the company hopes that more users will take advantage of these technologies. Furthermore, the roadmap for the various applications is evolving, and new features are expected to be implemented quickly.

Other companies are also offering similar changes: Microsoft, for example, announced that its AI Copilot Pro features, which previously cost $20 per month, will be integrated into the standard Microsoft 365 subscription, although for now, this is only for personal and family subscriptions in limited locations. These companies are betting that the incorporation of all these AI features will enable them to attract new customers and educate users on new ways to utilize their products, hoping this effort pays off in the long run.