Key Takeaways:
- Google is introducing a new artificial intelligence tool called Personal Intelligence, which connects information from various apps like Gmail and Google Photos to provide personalized answers in its chatbot.
- The feature is available for personal accounts and is part of Google’s Gemini app, which is competing with OpenAI and others in the generative AI market.
- Personal Intelligence will be available to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. and will be added to Google’s search tool "AI Mode" in the future.
- The feature will be off by default, and Google is asking users to provide feedback on the beta version, which may still contain mistakes.
- Google does not train its AI models directly on user data, but uses limited information to improve functionality over time.
Introduction to Personal Intelligence
Google has announced the launch of a new artificial intelligence tool called Personal Intelligence, which is designed to connect information from various apps like Gmail and Google Photos to provide personalized answers in its chatbot. As Josh Woodward, vice president of Google Labs and the Gemini app, wrote in a blog post, "Whether it’s connecting a thread in your emails to a video you watched or finding nuance in your photo library, Gemini now understands context without being told where to look." This feature is part of Google’s efforts to build more reasoning AI capabilities within its Gemini app and compete with other companies like OpenAI in the increasingly competitive generative AI market.
How Personal Intelligence Works
Personal Intelligence is available for personal accounts and is part of Google’s Gemini app. The feature uses artificial intelligence to reason across user data to surface proactive insights. According to Google, Gemini 3 can now "reason across your data to surface proactive insights," which means it can connect the dots between different pieces of information to provide more accurate and personalized answers. For example, if a user has been discussing a particular topic in their emails, Gemini can use that information to provide more relevant results in its chatbot. As Woodward noted, "Gemini may also struggle with timing or nuance, particularly regarding relationship changes, like divorces, or your various interests," but the company is working to improve the feature and is asking users to provide feedback.
Competition in the AI Market
The launch of Personal Intelligence is part of a larger effort by Google to compete with other companies in the AI market. Apple, for example, has its own personal AI system called Apple Intelligence, which integrates apps to help with writing, image creation, and understanding context. Apple has also chosen Google to power its AI features, including a major Siri upgrade expected later this year. Google’s Personal Intelligence feature will compete directly with Apple Intelligence, and the company is hoping to lure users away from its competitors with its more advanced AI capabilities. As Woodward noted, "We’re excited to bring this new feature to our users and to continue to innovate in the AI space."
Availability and Future Plans
Personal Intelligence will be available to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. and will be added to Google’s search tool "AI Mode" in the future. The feature will be off by default, and Google is asking users to provide feedback on the beta version, which may still contain mistakes. The company is also working to improve the feature and to address any concerns that users may have about privacy and data security. As Woodward noted, "Gemini aims to avoid making proactive assumptions" about sensitive topics like health, but "will discuss this data with you if you ask." Google does not train its AI models directly on user data, but uses limited information to improve functionality over time.
Conclusion
The launch of Personal Intelligence is an important step for Google as it competes with other companies in the AI market. The feature has the potential to provide users with more personalized and accurate answers, and to help them navigate the increasingly complex world of online information. As Woodward noted, "We’re committed to continuing to innovate and to bring new features and capabilities to our users." With the launch of Personal Intelligence, Google is taking a major step forward in the AI space, and it will be interesting to see how the feature develops and evolves over time. As Google continues to innovate and improve its AI capabilities, it is likely that we will see even more advanced features and tools in the future.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/14/google-launches-personal-intelligence-in-gemini-app-challenging-apple.html