Users who rely on Google services such as Gmail and Photos routinely share personal details with the tech giant. Google is now rolling out a feature named Personal Intelligence to integrate this information directly into Gemini, allowing the AI to draw from it for more relevant responses.
The Personal Intelligence capability draws from data in Photos, YouTube, and Gmail to enhance Gemini's functionality. It's currently available only to subscribers of Google AI Pro or Google AI Ultra plans in the United States, accessible through web interfaces or Google mobile applications. Future expansions will include additional subscription levels, potentially even for those on free accounts.
This development extends Google's existing data-processing practices, where it already analyzes Gmail content to prioritize important emails or route others to spam. In a recent blog entry, the company outlined potential uses, such as referencing a user's photo of their vehicle's license plate or suggesting tire replacements based on a Department of Motor Vehicles alert. Participation remains voluntary, with the primary appeal being increased ease of use.
Google cautions that the system could err or fail to grasp subtle contexts.
As an example, the company points out that numerous images of a user at a golf course could prompt Gemini to infer a passion for the sport, overlooking the detail that the visits stem from affection for a child rather than personal interest. Users can simply inform Gemini of the correction, such as stating a dislike for golf.
The company mentions built-in protections to avoid probing into sensitive areas like health matters, although it may overlook shifts in personal circumstances, such as a separation or divorce.
To activate the feature, open the Gemini application, navigate to Settings, select Personal Intelligence, and choose the desired connected apps.
Whether to adopt Google's Personal Intelligence ultimately comes down to individual preference.
Mark has contributed to PCWorld for the past ten years, accumulating three decades in technology reporting. His portfolio includes more than 3,500 pieces for PCWorld, spanning topics like computer processors, accessories, and the Windows operating system. He has also contributed to outlets such as PC Magazine, Byte, eWEEK, Popular Science, and Electronic Buyers' News—where he co-won a Jesse H. Neal Award for news coverage. Lately, he cleared out his workspace of numerous Thunderbolt docking stations and USB-C adapters due to space constraints.