Google adds AI inbox feature to Gmail for message summaries
Google announced a new set of Gemini-powered updates for Gmail, including an “AI Inbox” feature designed to surface the most important emails and reduce time spent scanning the full inbox. The feature is being introduced first to users enrolled in Google’s Trusted Tester program, with a wider rollout planned in the coming months.
AI Inbox is designed to work like a personalized briefing inside Gmail. It highlights priority messages and to-dos, and it ranks what appears first based on signals such as who a user emails most often, who is saved in contacts, and relationships inferred from message content. The goal is to push time-sensitive items, such as a bill due the next day or an appointment reminder, higher in the inbox view.
The announcement also included expanded AI Overviews, which summarize long email threads into a short set of key points. Conversation summaries are rolling out at no cost, while the ability to ask Gmail questions in natural language and receive an AI Overview answer is tied to Google’s paid tiers Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra.
Gmail is also getting updated writing assistance. Help Me Write can draft or refine emails. Suggested Replies is an updated version of Smart Replies that uses the context of the thread to generate one-click replies that better match a user’s tone and writing style. A separate Proofread feature adds deeper checks for grammar, tone, and style before sending. Help Me Write and Suggested Replies are rolling out at no cost, while Proofread is listed for Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers.
The new features are part of a broader push to embed Gemini across Gmail as inbox volume continues to rise. Google also indicated Help Me Write will be updated next month with stronger personalization by drawing context from other Google services.
