Gemini AI Now Available in Google Chat Side Panel

Google is continuing its efforts to streamline communication and collaboration across its Workspace suite with the expansion of the Gemini AI tool to the side panel of Google Chat.

This move follows several months of Gemini being accessible in other Workspace apps like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive, where it’s helped users generate summaries, analyze data, and create content based on insights gathered from their emails and documents.

Starting today, Google is rolling out the full capabilities of Gemini directly in the side panel of Chat, offering additional tools to assist in collaboration within spaces, group messages, and even one-on-one direct messages.

With Gemini in the side panel of Google Chat, users can perform several tasks to enhance team communication, including:

• Summarizing conversations: Ask Gemini to generate a brief or detailed overview of any discussion.
• Identifying action items: Users can request a list of tasks or responsibilities from a conversation by simply asking, “What are the action items in this conversation?”
• Answering specific queries: Gemini can also help clarify details within conversations, such as, “What did [person] say about the project deadline?” or “What’s the decision on the new product rollout?”

This feature is designed to impact end users directly, making it easier to collaborate and stay informed, especially in dynamic workspaces where conversations can move quickly.

The integration of Gemini into Google Chat’s side panel is a significant boost for productivity. By summarizing conversations and highlighting essential information, users can focus on what matters most.

Moreover, Gemini’s ability to provide quick answers to specific questions within a chat can save time during meetings or discussions where decisions or tasks are made but could easily be overlooked.

For Rapid Release domains, the rollout begins on November 1, 2024, and may take up to 15 days for full visibility. For Scheduled Release domains, the feature will be fully visible within one to three days starting on November 18, 2024.