I Don’t Want Google Gemini Anywhere Near My Emails

In 2023, artificial intelligence burst into the mainstream with the launch of ChatGPT. Three years later, it has become ubiquitous.

As an Android user reliant on Google apps, I am intimately familiar with this. Initially confined to an AI chatbot and search summaries, Gemini’s influence has now permeated all my favorite apps.

Maps. Photos. Calendar. Chrome. Keep. Docs. YouTube. Every Google app I use is now infused with AI, whether I require it or not.

At Google’s I/O developer conference on May 19, the company made it clear: this is just the beginning.

Some of Google’s most ambitious plans revolve around Gmail, the email client I have relied on for nearly two decades. Google’s proposed Gemini-ification of the app could drastically alter the way we interact with our emails.

More than any other app, the prospect of AI infiltrating my emails fills me with unease. Here are five compelling reasons why I will steer clear of Gemini in Gmail for the foreseeable future.

My emails are sacred

While I do not guard my Gmail app as if my life depends on it, it is where a significant portion of my sensitive personal data resides.

Google Photos may document my life and Keep may contain private notes, but Gmail is the repository I would be most devastated to lose. It houses a wide array of official communications dating back years, along with detailed records of my online purchases.

It is an invaluable resource that offers a comprehensive insight into who I am, making me hesitant to relinquish that information to AI. Although Google has scanned incoming emails for spam since the inception of Gmail, it ceased using them for targeted advertising in 2017.

However, to access Gmail’s “smart features,” one must grant Google permission to “use your Workspace content and activity to personalize your experience across Workspace.” Essentially, this entails granting Google unrestricted access to your emails for a more tailored AI experience. I’ll pass on that offer!

Not surprisingly, these options are enabled by default, necessitating a visit to Settings > Google Workspace smart features to disable the two checkboxes to opt out. I sincerely hope Google does not eliminate this choice in the future, leaving us with no alternative.

Gemini (still) can’t be trusted

If Gemini were an infallible assistant that never erred, there might be a case for entrusting it with the task. However, as with any AI tool, it is prone to more than occasional misunderstandings.

One of Gemini’s primary features in Gmail is an AI Inbox, which compiles a list of “priorities” based on its thorough examination of your emails before directing you to the relevant document or suggesting the most appropriate response.

In addition, it provides detailed summaries of other content you may have overlooked, determining on its own what necessitates action. Presumably, this will update throughout the day as more emails arrive.

While this feature could save a significant amount of time, I am simply not confident in Google’s ability to surface all essential information and ensure its accurate summarization. Email communication varies widely, with hidden meanings and assumed context being common.

Gemini may handle factual information well, such as a booking confirmation or a specific request, but what about subtler clues?

For anything truly significant, I would prefer to review lengthy threads to ensure nothing was overlooked. This somewhat defeats the purpose of the AI Inbox.

Previously restricted to Google AI Ultra subscribers, this feature is now being rolled out to customers on the AI Plus and AI Pro plans. However, if you are considering subscribing solely for this feature, I would advise against it.

A major talking point

While AI Inbox has been available, Gmail’s new Gemini Live feature is a recent addition.

It functions similarly to the standard Gemini Live feature found in the Gemini app and many Android phones, allowing for real-time AI conversations.

The distinguishing factor here is its focus on enhancing email management, whether finding details about a specific event or monitoring upcoming deadlines.

While it is a clever concept, I remain unconvinced of Gemini Live’s ability to consistently provide accurate results. For it to be useful, Google will need to scrutinize our emails in greater detail than ever before. My skepticism knows no bounds.

Once Gemini Live begins its rollout this summer, users will need to be subscribed to Google AI Pro or AI Ultra plans. I, however, will decline.

Research that’s no better than pub chat

As a journalist, AI Overviews (AIOs) in Google Search results are my bane. When conducting research for an article, I often rely on online searches, but the reliability of the information provided by AIOs is questionable.

I once included an AIO “fact” in an article, assuming it to be true. Fortunately, my editor caught the mistake before publication, teaching me never to trust AI with crucial facts and always cross-reference information.

The expansion of AIOs to Gmail’s search function is disconcerting. It seems to replace traditional search, extracting only the necessary details from relevant emails.

Precision is crucial here, more so than in a search result. Imagine if inaccurate information supplied by the AIO jeopardizes a house purchase or visa application. The consequences could be monumental.

You would likely verify critical information, so why involve AI in the first place? The standard search function is adept at locating emails, then deferring to your judgment on importance. That’s how it should be. Why would I allow an AI assistant, acknowledged by Google to make mistakes, to take the reins?

How to become a terrible emailer 101

Managing emails can be tedious and time-consuming, making efficiency enhancements appealing.

While I appreciate a good batch deletion of superfluous content, responding to pertinent emails can feel burdensome. Striking a balance between politeness and conciseness can consume valuable time.

In theory, Gmail’s “Help Me Write” tool is the ideal solution, assisting in refining existing replies or generating new ones. Suggested Replies utilize conversational context to offer more suitable quick responses than Gmail’s generic options.

Google

While these tools can save time, the trade-off is significant. Similar to AI-written articles, Gemini-generated responses are likely to be sterile and error-prone, lacking the personal touch.

If you aim to infuse personality into your emails, AI is not the solution. It doesn’t enhance engagement; it makes you sound robotic.

Help Me Write and Suggested Replies are both complimentary, underscoring their limited utility. These are two more “features” I will keep disabled for as long as possible.

AI can be great, but not like this

It is evident that Gemini holds promise in Gmail, but the combination of unreliable responses and unrestricted access to personal emails renders it untenable.

This is not a case of blind antipathy towards AI. I recognize its vast potential in various contexts and have reevaluated my stance on the Gemini chatbot following beneficial experiments.

However, there are certain apps where AI integration proves detrimental rather than beneficial. For me, Gmail epitomizes this within Google’s suite of apps.

As long as Gemini remains optional in Gmail, I will keep it deactivated. Should it become mandatory, I may find myself switching email clients for the first time.