Following I/O 2023, Google has recently improved the accessibility of Workspace Labs. The ‘Help me write’ feature, which is now generally available on Gmail for Android and iOS for testers participating in the programme, is one of the notable additions being rolled out.
The first prompt about generative AI is presented to users when they launch the app. A “Help me write” button appears in the bottom right corner. Users can enter a prompt by tapping on it, and the “Create” button starts the action with a blue/purple wave motion. Before typing, users can create different prompts and add comments.
Once the text has been entered into the compose feed, users can ‘refine’ the message in a number of ways by tapping the button again. These options include Formalise, Elaborate, Shorten, I’m feeling lucky and Write a draft. During the few seconds it takes for the system to generate a new answer, a pulsating icon will indicate its progress. The freshly generated answer is an option available to users to replace the current content.
The “Help me write” feature is now available to all Android and iOS users who have signed up for Workspace Labs. However, the Google Docs mobile applications do not currently support it.
Google demonstrated the ‘Help Me Write’ feature of Gmail’s generative AI during the I/O 2023 conference. Apple and Android are both compatible with this feature.
To use the feature, users simply click the “Write for me” button in the bottom right corner of the app. The AI will then start writing the email by typing a natural language command in the text box provided. Once the AI has finished its work, users can edit the content of the email to suit their own needs, such as making it shorter, more formal or more thorough.
Google warns users not to use this feature to seek expert assistance in any field, including law, finance or medicine. In addition, it is not advisable to enter sensitive or personal information, as the data will be transmitted over the network.
Customers will need to register with Google Workspace Lab before using this new feature on their personal devices.
