Key Points
- Google Gemini now offers a “Personal Intelligence” feature for paid users.
- Subscribers can link Gmail, Photos, Search, and YouTube to receive tailored answers.
- Each data source can be connected or blocked individually.
- Gemini cites when personal data is used and allows re‑running queries without personalization.
- Temporary chats provide non‑personalized responses regardless of linked data.
- Privacy controls let users disable any or all data connections at any time.
- Early tests show improved recommendations, such as shopping assistance using photo context.
- Feature rollout begins with AI Pro and AI Ultra plans over the next weeks.
Feature Overview
Google has rolled out a new capability called Personal Intelligence for its Gemini chatbot. The feature lets subscribers to AI Pro and AI Ultra plans connect the assistant to their Google services—Gmail, Photos, Search, and YouTube. When these data sources are linked, Gemini incorporates the information into its answers, aiming to provide more useful, context‑aware responses. The company describes the approach as a way to “feed” personal data into the model, noting that more information generally leads to better outputs.
How It Works
Each data source can be connected individually, giving users granular control. For example, a user might allow Gemini access to Gmail while keeping Photos private. When the assistant accesses a linked service, it cites that it used personal data in its response. If a user prefers a standard, non‑personalized answer, they can re‑run the query without personalization or start a temporary chat that does not draw on account data. Settings also let users disable access to one or all sources at any time.
Practical Benefits
Google’s VP Josh Woodward shared early testing insights, noting that the feature can enhance everyday tasks. In a shopping scenario for tires, Gemini referenced road‑trip photos to justify suggestions and even extracted a license‑plate number from an image, illustrating how personal context can refine recommendations.
Privacy and Control
The rollout emphasizes that Personal Intelligence is optional and initially limited to paid users. Users retain full control over which services are linked and can disable the feature entirely. Gemini will always indicate when personal data influences an answer, ensuring transparency. Additionally, users can obtain standard, non‑personalized outputs by using temporary chats or disabling data connections.
Availability
Personal Intelligence will be introduced over the coming weeks for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers. The feature is presented as an add‑on rather than a default setting, aligning with Google’s intent to let users decide how much of their personal information they wish to share with the AI.
Source: arstechnica.com