Google's AI Mode taps Gmail and Photos to deliver personalized responses tailored to your life

Google AI Mode can now customize responses with your email and photos

Google believes AI is the future of search, and it's not shy about saying it. After adding account-level personalization to Gemini earlier this month, it's now updating AI Mode with so-called "Personal Intelligence." According to Google, this makes the bot's answers more useful because they are tailored to your personal context. Starting today, the feature is rolling out to all users who subscribe to Google AI Pro or AI Ultra. However, it will be a Labs feature that needs to be explicitly enabled (subscribers will be prompted to do this). Google tends to expand access to new AI features to free accounts later on, so free users will most likely get access to Personal Intelligence in the future. Whenever this option does land on your account, it's entirely optional and can be disabled at any time. If you decide to integrate your data with AI Mode, the search bot will be able to scan your Gmail and Google Photos. That's less extensive than the Gemini app version, which supports Gmail, Photos, Search, and YouTube history. Gmail will probably be the biggest contributor to AI Mode -- a great many life events involve confirmation emails. Traditional search results when you are logged in are adjusted based on your usage history, but this goes a step further. If you're going to use AI Mode to find information, Personal Intelligence could actually be quite helpful. When you connect data from other Google apps, Google's custom Gemini search model will instantly know about your preferences and background -- that's the kind of information you'd otherwise have to include in your search query to get the best output. With Personal Intelligence, AI Mode can just pull those details from your email or photos. For example, as in the example below, you could ask about clothing options for an upcoming trip. Instead of telling the robot when and where you're going in the prompt, it can get that information from your email confirmation. When AI Mode uses your personal context in a response, it will cite it in-line the same way it does for websites. Perfectly Imperfect Google says, as it often does, that AI is not perfect. AI Mode with Personal Intelligence can make mistakes, drawing the wrong conclusions from the data it mines from your account. In that case, Google suggests using a follow-up prompt to correct it and get more accurate information. It's similar to the way you might refine a traditional Google search when the links aren't to your liking. AI Mode and Google AI are generally supposed to improve over time to reduce such failures. The way you use the service contributes to that, but Google says the model is not being trained directly on your email or photos, even if you connect them to AI Mode. Instead, Google uses your prompts and the resulting output to train its AI models. Access to Gmail and Photos can be revoked at any time, but it sounds like there won't be a simple way to toggle off Personal Intelligence for a single query, which is possible in Gemini.

Google's AI Mode can now tap into your Gmail and Photos to provide tailored responses

AI Mode, Google's conversational Search feature for complex questions, is getting more personalized. The tech giant announced on Thursday that it's bringing "Personal Intelligence" to AI Mode, enabling it to tap into your Gmail and Google Photos to provide more individualized responses. The company first debuted Personal Intelligence last week in the Gemini app to allow the AI assistant to tailor its responses by connecting across your Google ecosystem, starting with Gmail, Photos, Search, and YouTube history. The opt-in feature is now starting to roll out to AI Mode to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in English in the U.S. By bringing Personal Intelligence to Gemini and AI Mode, Google is leveraging the wealth of user data already within its ecosystem. Since users already rely on services like Gmail and Photos, Google can deliver more personalized experiences that rivals can't easily match. Of course, not everyone wants AI looking at their photos and emails, so you can turn Personal Intelligence on or off at any time. "With Personal Intelligence, recommendations don't just match your interests -- they fit seamlessly into your life," Robby Stein, VP of Product, Google Search, explained in a blog post. "You don't have to constantly explain your preferences or existing plans, it selects recommendations just for you, right from the start." Say you're planning a vacation and searching for things to do and places to eat that everyone in your family will enjoy. With Personal Intelligence, AI Mode can draw on your hotel booking in Gmail and past travel memories in Google Photos to suggest a tailored itinerary with something for everyone. For example, you might see recommendations like an old-timey ice cream parlor based on the many ice cream selfies stored in Google Photos. Google notes that AI Mode won't just give you a generic list of restaurants and activities; it instead provides a personalized starting point for planning. "Personal Intelligence can also be particularly helpful for shopping, because AI Mode considers the types of items you buy and where you shop," Stein wrote. "If you need a new coat for your upcoming trip, AI Mode could automatically take into account the brands you prefer, as well as your flight confirmation in Gmail to identify the destination and timing (Chicago in March). You'll get suggestions for windproof, versatile coats that fit the weather and your preferred look. It's like a personal shopper who already knows your itinerary and the vibe you're going for." Google says other questions you could ask are: "Make a scavenger hunt for [partner's name] to celebrate our anniversary. For each location, include a hint about us," or "I'm decorating [child's name ]'s bedroom, give me ideas for a theme and suggestions for decor." The company notes that AI Mode doesn't train directly on your Gmail inbox or Google Photos library. Instead, it trains on specific prompts and the model's responses.

Google Search AI Mode can use Gmail and Photos to get to know you

Google is helping AI Mode to provide more personalized responses in Search by allowing the chatbot to analyze your Gmail and Google Photos accounts. After launching for Gemini AI last week, "Personal Intelligence" is now coming to tailor AI Mode search results to your interests and daily life by gathering information from your emails and photos, instead of requiring you to manually create and adjust your preferences. For example, Google says Personal Intelligence allows AI Mode to suggest travel itineraries by referencing hotel bookings in your Gmail and holiday snaps in Photos. If you take a lot of selfies with ice cream, then it could curate recommendations for ice cream parlors. When using AI Mode to shop online, it can prioritize products from brands you wear or have purchased before. Eligible Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers can opt in to the Gmail and Google Photos connections for AI Mode starting today. The update is rolling out in the US as a feature in Google Labs, and is only available for personal Google accounts. This rollout follows Personal Intelligence being introduced to Gemini AI, which can also tap into Search and YouTube history alongside Gmail and Photos. "Built with privacy in mind, AI Mode uses our most intelligent model, Gemini 3, and doesn't train directly on your Gmail inbox or Google Photos library," Google Search VP Robby Stein said in the announcement. "Training is contained to limited info, like specific prompts in AI Mode and the model's responses, to improve functionality over time." Stein says that while Personal Intelligence can be helpful, internal testing shows that "mistakes can happen." AI Mode users can correct any unsuitable recommendations, and provide feedback by giving a follow-up response or giving it a "thumbs down."

Google's AI Mode can search your email and photos now too - how it works

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways * Google Search can now reference users' Gmail and Photos accounts. * The feature is part of a broader push for more personalized AI. * It's only available to some users for the time being. Google will make its web search results more personalized by letting AI Mode in Search sync with users' Gmail and Photos accounts, the company said Thursday. It's the latest development for Google's Personal Intelligence feature, which debuted last week and is designed to boost Gemini's practical usefulness by connecting it with the tech giant's proprietary apps. The overarching goal is to make Gemini, which, along with other chatbots like ChatGPT, was originally trained as a general conversational tool, more of an automated assistant that's tailored to the needs and preferences of individual users. Also: I tried Gemini's 'scheduled actions' to automate my AI - the potential is enormous (but Google has work to do) "Personal Intelligence transforms Search into an experience that feels uniquely yours by connecting the dots across your Google apps," Robby Stein, VP of product in Google's Search division, wrote in a blog post. "With this new experience, you can tap into your own personal context and insights to unlock even more helpful Search responses that are tailored to you." How it works Saving time (especially on menial tasks) has become a major KPI for AI developers building consumer-facing tools, and Google's latest Search feature is no exception. According to Stein, granting AI Mode -- which is powered by Google's Gemini 3 model -- permission to crawl your Gmail and Photos data means you can prompt the search engine with fairly broad personal questions without having to meticulously spell out relevant details about your habits, schedule, and so on. Think of it like ChatGPT's memory capability for Google Search, and rather than explicitly telling the AI specific details of your life, it proactively references past email threads and photos to curate a more personalized response. Also: I tried Gmail's new Gemini AI features, and now I want to unsubscribe Say you ask for some recommendations for your upcoming trip. From that ostensibly unspecific prompt, Gemini could refer to your Gmail account to find messages outlining your plan to fly to Sydney in February with your whole family, and to your many photos of you and your kids standing in museums and art galleries around the world, to generate tailored recommendations. Or if you're looking to buy some new clothes online before the trip, the system can factor in your past purchases, as well as photos of yourself to get a sense of your taste, while also accounting for the Australian heat (recommending something light and airy, maybe, over a heavy coat). Privacy considerations As with any personalized AI feature, letting AI Mode in Google Search obviously means you're handing over more of your personal data to Google. Stein wrote in the blog post that the new feature is opt-in only, that the connections can subsequently be turned off if you later change your mind, and that users' Gmail messages or photos won't be used to train new models. Bearing those privacy protections in mind, you should still be mindful that granting AI Mode in Search access to your Gmail and Photos will shape the search results you see, which can cause confusion. If you have lots of photos of a friend's dog, for example, the system might mistake you for a dog-owner and generate recommendations accordingly. Also: Gemini can look through your emails and photos to 'help' you now - but should you let it? You'll also have the option, however, of refining the system's responses by sending direct follow-up messages in the prompt window or by rating unwanted responses with a thumbs-down. It's also worth noting that this is currently an experimental feature that's being rolled out only to individual users and not to enterprise or education accounts, an indicator that there are still too many bugs to be worked out before it's deployed at a larger, organization-wide scale. How to access The AI Mode connection with Gmail and Google Photos is rolling out in English to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US over the next few days, according to Stein. They should receive a notification to access the feature, but they can also grant access by opening their profile in Search and selecting Search personalization -- > Connected Content Apps -- > Connect Workspace and Google Photos.

Google's AI Mode Can Now Tap Photos and Gmail for Personalized Responses

(Credit: Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Google is testing a new feature that lets AI Mode draw context from Gmail and Google Photos to provide answers tailored to a user's preferences and interests. The feature, called Personal Intelligence, debuted on the Gemini app last week. For AI Mode in Search, it is currently a Labs experiment limited to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers who opt in. Personal Intelligence is designed to automatically understand your search intent based on upcoming plans and past history. If you are shopping for a coat, for example, it can scan your Photos to understand your style and check your flight ticket in Gmail to factor in your destination and arrival time before suggesting an appropriate item. If you're traveling with your family, the feature can check your Photos history to understand what everyone prefers and suggest an itinerary that caters to everyone's interests. You can even use the feature to throw in some hypothetical questions, such as what a film about your life should be titled, or what your perfect day would look like. Personal Intelligence in AI Mode is powered by Google's latest Gemini 3 model. The company says it won't directly use your emails or photos to train its AI models, but may use specific prompts and responses to improve the feature's functionality over time. Additionally, it warns that though the feature worked well in internal tests, it may at times fail to understand context and make mistakes. You can always rate the response and provide feedback by tapping the thumbs down icon. Eligible subscribers will be invited to try Personal Intelligence in AI Mode over the next few days. It is disabled by default. If you don't see the invite, you can enable it by visiting Search > Profile > Search personalization > Connected Content Apps, then selecting Workspace and Google Photos.

Google Lets Users Tailor AI Search With Data From Photos, Email

Alphabet Inc.'s Google is rolling out a new option to personalize search results by tapping user data from the tech giant's other applications, its latest bid to keep ahead of competition from the likes of OpenAI. The new feature, part of an offering called Personal Intelligence, will give people a choice to tailor results in the artificial intelligence-powered search mode by using data from their Gmail and Google Photos accounts. Those searching for a travel itinerary, for example, might find more relevant suggestions based on hotel bookings in their email and pictures from previous trips, Google said. It "transforms Search into an experience that feels uniquely yours by connecting the dots across your Google apps," said Robby Stein, vice president of product for Google search, in a blog post. Google, long dominant in online search, has faced new threats from artificial intelligence startups like OpenAI and Perplexity AI Inc., which offer alternative ways to look up information. But Google is also sitting on a unique trove of personal information on its users that can help differentiate its products. Last week, Google announced that its Gemini AI assistant can now proactively tap into users' data across Gmail, Search, Photos and YouTube. The Personal Intelligence feature is currently only available for paid Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers. The company said it will not use information from Gmail or photos to train its AI models.

Google offers users option to plug AI mode into their photos, email for more personalized answers

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Google is leveraging its artificial intelligence technology to open a new peephole for its dominant search engine to tailor answers that draw upon people's interests, habits, travel itineraries and photo libraries. The new option rolling out Thursday will give millions of people the option of turning on a recently introduced tool called "Personal Intelligence" within the AI mode that has been available on Google's search engine since last year. The technology will be first offered in the U.S. to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, as well as an option within its experimental Labs division for anyone with a personal Google account. If turned on, the new tool will plug Google's AI Mode into Gmail and the Google Photos app so the technology can learn more about each user's life and deliver more relevant answers tailored to personal tastes. For instance, someone might ask for suggestions for a weekend getaway and get a quick recommendation based on past trips and experiences. Or, when in AI mode, the search engine might automatically know a person's favorite restaurants or recognize preferred clothing styles by reviewing old pictures stored in Google Photos. "Personal Intelligence transforms Search into an experience that feels uniquely yours by connecting the dots across your Google apps," Robby Stein, a vice president in Google Search, wrote in a blog post. Stein also warned Personal Intelligence won't always deliver the best answers, a pitfall that he said users can help correct by telling AI mode with words or a thumbs-down symbol. Turning on the option will require users to trust Google's search engine to protect the details that it is fed about their lives. But millions of people already have been doing that implicitly for decades while entering sometimes intimate queries into the search engine or sharing personal information within Gmail and the Photos app. Bringing Personal Intelligence to Google search is the latest sign of the company's ambitions to make its arsenal of digital services even more powerful with a boost from the latest AI model, Gemini 3i, that came out in November. Earlier this month, Google took its first steps toward turning Gmail into a personal assistant powered by AI and now it's getting a chance to play a bigger role in a search engine that remains the foundation of its internet empire. Gemini's tentacles will even be extending into the iPhone, iPad and Mac after Apple decided last week to team up with Google to bring more AI tools to those products. The partnership will focus on a long-delayed effort to turn Apple's often-bumbling digital assistant, Siri, into a more conversational and versatile aide. Although Google's search engine was condemned as an illegal monopoly in 2024 by a U.S. federal judge, it remains the internet's main gateway while trying to fend off competitive threats from AI-powered answer engines offered by up-and-coming innovators such as ChatGPT and Perplexity. The potentially revolutionary changes being wrought by AI helped persuade the judge who branded Google a monopoly to reject a proposal by the U.S. Justice Department that would have forced the company to sell its Chrome web browser to curb future abuses in the market.

AI Mode in Google search can now pull context from your other apps

After adding Personal Intelligence to Gemini as an opt-in experience, Google has announced that it's also integrating the feature into AI Mode in Search. What Personal Intelligence does is pull information from your Google apps to tailor its responses based on your history and interests. For Search, in particular, you can allow Personal Intelligence to look for information in your Gmail accounts and Google Photos libraries. If you use AI Mode to shop for clothes with the new feature enabled, for instance, Google could recommend items or models from a brand you previously purchased from. If it sees plane tickets or other reservations in Gmail, Google could also recommend specific items based on your destination and the season if you're clothes shopping for that trip. Personal Intelligence is powered by Google's Gemini 3 AI model. The company says it doesn't train its models using information from your Gmail inbox or Google Photos library, but it does use your prompts and AI Mode's responses. Google also warned that sometimes, the feature's recommendations could feel inaccurate because it could not fully comprehend the context or could make incorrect connections between separate topics. At the moment, Personal Intelligence is an experimental feature that's rolling out in Labs starting today. Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US, who use the service in English, will automatically have access to it and be able to connect AI Mode to Gmail and Google Photos. It will only be available to personal Google accounts, however, and not for Workspace accounts just yet.

Google Search now knows what you did last summer, thanks to Gmail and Photos integration

Last week, we saw Google finally tackle the context packing problem by bringing Personal Intelligence to the Gemini app, allowing the AI to actually remember details about your life instead of just fetching single files. Now, Google is bringing that same memory upgrade to the search bar. Starting today, Google is expanding Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Search. Search used to focus on indexing the world's information, but now it can understand your own information. It combines public web results with your private data to give you answers that fit you. Like the recent Gemini rollout, this integration runs on Gemini 3. Google uses context packing, a system that picks out only the most relevant emails or photos and sends them to the model when needed to answer your question. Google also says the AI does not train directly on your private Gmail or Photos data. Instead, training is limited to your specific prompts and the model's responses. With this update, search feels more than just a basic catalog. For example, if you're planning a weekend trip, instead of just showing a generic list of "Top 10 things to do in Philadelphia," AI Mode can look at your hotel booking in Gmail and your travel photos in Google Photos. This feature also helps with shopping and fun questions. If you're searching for a new coat, AI Mode can check your Gmail for flight details and suggest items that match your favorite brands and style. For now, this is a Labs feature rolling out over the next few days. To use it, you need to be a Google AI Pro or AI Ultra subscriber. It's only available to English-speaking users in the US with personal Google accounts. Workspace business and education accounts can't use it yet. This feature is opt-in. Google says it won't access your data without your permission. You decide when to connect these apps, and you can turn them off at any time. To start, open Search, tap your profile, select "Search personalization," then choose "Connected Content Apps" to link your accounts. Like with the Gemini app, you might notice some early bugs as the system is still learning. Google says it could sometimes mix up topics or misunderstand personal relationships. If a suggestion doesn't seem right, you can give feedback with a "thumbs down" or explain what you meant with a follow-up in AI Mode.

Your photos and emails can now influence your Google Search

Karandeep Singh Oberoi is a Durham College Journalism and Mass Media graduate who joined the Android Police team in April 2024, after serving as a full-time News Writer at Canadian publication MobileSyrup. Prior to joining Android Police, Oberoi worked on feature stories, reviews, evergreen articles, and focused on 'how-to' resources. Additionally, he informed readers about the latest deals and discounts with quick hit pieces and buyer's guides for all occasions. Oberoi lives in Toronto, Canada. When not working on a new story, he likes to hit the gym, play soccer (although he keeps calling it football for some reason🤔) and try out new restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area. Just last week, Google took a massive leap in its AI strategy. The tech giant rolled out Personal Intelligence for Gemini, which lets the AI tool take a look into your Gmail, Photos, Search data, and even your YouTube History to give you personalized answers. Although Gemini has already been able to connect to other native Google apps, Personal Intelligence allows the tool to reason across those sources and retrieve specific details from them. Although limited to Gemini in its initial release, Personal Intelligence is now expanding. Google says Gemini's Personal Intelligence is the context-aware AI you've been looking for Without the privacy nightmares Posts 1 By Karandeep Singh Oberoi Personal Intelligence is expanding to Google's most important platform -- it's expanding to Search Via AI Mode, Personal Intelligence will now be able to give you personalized Search results "that feel uniquely yours by connecting the dots across your Google apps." As expected, the experience is currently limited to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers on an opt-in basis. Additionally, it is currently limited to Gmail and Google Photos connections only. It is unclear if that will change in the future. With Personal Intelligence, recommendations don't just match your interests -- they fit seamlessly into your life. You don't have to constantly explain your preferences or existing plans, it selects recommendations just for you, right from the start. Robby Stein, VP of Product, Google Search, shared an apt example of Personal Intelligence in action. He said that he had recently been browsing for a new pair of sneakers when AI Mode noticed a brand that he had recently bought sneakers from (likely via a receipt on Gmail) and suggested a new style he hadn't seen. "The recommendation was spot on -- I bought them instantly!" he wrote. Strictly opt-in Personal Intelligence in AI Mode can also take a proactive approach. If you're looking to buy a new coat, the tool can parse through your upcoming trip details via Gmail and recommend brands and types that would suit the destination and the time of the year. For example, if you're going to Chicago in the month of March, you'd "get suggestions for windproof, versatile coats that fit the weather and your preferred look. It's like a personal shopper who already knows your itinerary and the vibe you're going for." Subscribe to our newsletter for Personal Intelligence insights Want clearer, usable analysis? Subscribe to the newsletter for clear breakdowns of Google's Personal Intelligence in Search, practical explanations of what it means for users, and coverage of related Google AI developments. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. As is the case with Gemini, connecting Personal Intelligence to Gmail and Google Photos is completely opt-in. Connections will be disabled by default. Personal Intelligence for AI Mode is rolling out as a Google Labs feature in the US. The feature is currently limited to personal Google accounts, and is not available for Workspace business, enterprise or education users.

AI Mode rolling out Personal Intelligence to make Google Search 'uniquely yours'

Following the Gemini launch last week, Personal Intelligence is coming to AI Mode in Google Search. Google says "Personal Intelligence transforms Search into an experience that feels uniquely yours by connecting the dots across your Google apps." AI Mode can specifically leverage your Google Photos library and Workspace data, like Gmail messages. In practice, you don't have to "constantly explain your preferences or existing plans" when prompting AI Mode. When planning a trip, AI Mode can "reference your hotel booking in Gmail and travel memories in Google Photos." You'll see tailored recommendations like an interactive museum perfect for the kids or an old-timey ice cream parlor, because it recalls the many ice-cream selfies captured in your pictures. It's not just a generic list of restaurants and activities. AI Mode will note when it's "Checking Connected Apps" and "Applying Personal Intelligence." Inline citations will show the icons for Gmail and Google Photos. At the end of the response, you can regenerate using "Try without personalization." Personal Intelligence is "particularly helpful" when shopping, with AI Mode considering the "types of items you buy and where you shop." If you need a new coat for your upcoming trip, AI Mode could automatically take into account the brands you prefer, as well as your flight confirmation in Gmail to identify the destination and timing (Chicago in March). You'll get suggestions for windproof, versatile coats that fit the weather and your preferred look. Other fun prompts include: You can even ask fun questions that you never imagined searching for -- like "if my life were a movie, what would the title and movie genre be," or "describe my perfect day." On the privacy front, Personal Intelligence is opt-in and you must first connect Google Workspace or Photos, with the ability to disable at any time. Google does not "train directly on your Gmail inbox or Google Photos library": Training is contained to limited info, like specific prompts in AI Mode and the model's responses, to improve functionality over time. Caveats about the launch today include how Google's "systems might incorrectly make connections between unrelated topics or not fully understand the context." You can leave thumbs down feedback and manually correct information with a follow-up prompt. This is rolling out via Search Labs "over the next few days" for personal accounts in the US subscribed to Google AI Pro or Ultra. If you don't get a prompt in AI Mode to enable, you can:

Google brings Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Google Search

Just last week, Google launched a new test feature in its Gemini AI assistant called Personal Intelligence. The feature allowed users to connect four Google apps -- Gmail, YouTube, Google Search, and Google Photos -- to Gemini so that the AI assistant can pull user data from those services in order to personalize responses. Now, Google is rolling out a version of that Personal Intelligence feature directly to AI Mode in Google Search. Users will be able to connect their Gmail and Google Photos accounts to AI Mode, and AI Mode, powered by Google's new Gemini 3 model, will use personal context from those apps in order to provide personalized answers and search results. In its announcement, Google provided some practical use cases where Personal Intelligence would come in handy for searchers. For example, VP of Product at Google Search, Robby Stein, shared that when shopping for new sneakers, AI Mode was able to use Personal Intelligence to see that he had just made a purchase from a particular brand, and it recommended he check out a new style of sneakers from that same brand. In another example, Google highlighted how Personal Intelligence in AI Mode could utilize a user's Google Photos account to find vacation photos. Then, it could analyze the photos to recommend an itinerary for the user's next vacation. Google stressed that none of a user's personal data is used for AI training, and that its usage is limited strictly to answering the specific prompts. The feature is also strictly opt-in. Over the next few days, users in the U.S. will be able to try out the feature under the Google Labs program, Google's hub for experimental AI features. Much like Personal Intelligence in the Gemini AI assistant, the AI mode version of the feature will be limited to paying Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers. Furthermore, for now, Personal Intelligence is only available for personal Google accounts and not those using Workspace for business, enterprise, or education accounts.

Google Search can now answer questions using your Gmail and Photos in AI mode

Google has announced that AI Mode in Search can now tap into your Gmail and Google Photos to deliver responses that feel personal, relevant, and grounded in your real life. This update brings what Google calls Personal Intelligence directly into Search, pushing it beyond generic results and into something closer to a digital memory that works for you. Until now, AI Mode focused on handling complex questions through conversation. With Personal Intelligence added, it can now quietly connect details across your Google apps, so you do not have to explain everything from scratch. Google says this helps Search understand your preferences, plans, and habits instead of relying on keywords or manual settings. How Personal Intelligence changes everyday searches With AI Mode enabled, Search can look up things like hotel bookings in Gmail or past travel photos to shape its responses. For example, if you are planning a family vacation and ask for things to do, AI Mode can factor in where you are staying and what kinds of experiences show up often in your Photos. Google even shared an example where frequent ice cream selfies could lead to recommendations for ice cream parlors. Recommended Videos Shopping searches also get more context. If you ask for help buying clothes for a trip, AI Mode can consider where you are going based on flight emails, what the weather is usually like, and which brands you have bought before. Google compares it to having a personal shopper who already knows your itinerary and your style. This feature is opt-in and can be turned off at any time. Google says AI Mode does not train directly on your emails or photo library. Instead, it uses limited information from specific prompts and responses. Personal Intelligence is currently rolling out to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the US. With the latest update, Google is transforming Search into a tool that understands not just what you're asking, but why you're asking it, based on the life you already live inside Google's ecosystem.

Personal Intelligence in AI Mode in Search: Help that's uniquely yours

This content is generated by Google AI. Generative AI is experimental With Google Search, you should be able to ask any question and find precisely what you need. Accessing the world's information is the foundation, but the most helpful search experience brings together that global knowledge with insights that are uniquely relevant to you. To make this vision possible, today we're expanding Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Google Search. Personal Intelligence transforms Search into an experience that feels uniquely yours by connecting the dots across your Google apps. Starting today, Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers can opt-in to securely connect Gmail and Google Photos to AI Mode. With this new experience, you can tap into your own personal context and insights to unlock even more helpful Search responses that are tailored to you. Get a more tailored Search, just for you With Personal Intelligence, recommendations don't just match your interests -- they fit seamlessly into your life. You don't have to constantly explain your preferences or existing plans, it selects recommendations just for you, right from the start. In testing Personal Intelligence with Gmail and Google Photos enabled, I've found new things that I wouldn't have ever considered or discovered before. One recent example: I was looking for a new pair of sneakers, and AI Mode noticed a brand I'd just bought and suggested a new style I hadn't seen yet. The recommendation was spot on -- I bought them instantly! Here are a few more examples where Personal Intelligence in Search can be helpful for you: Say you're looking for things to do and places to eat that the whole family would enjoy ahead of your upcoming getaway. With Personal Intelligence, AI Mode can reference your hotel booking in Gmail and travel memories in Google Photos, to suggest an itinerary with something for everyone. You'll see tailored recommendations like an interactive museum perfect for the kids or an old-timey ice cream parlor, because it recalls the many ice-cream selfies captured in your pictures. It's not just a generic list of restaurants and activities; it's a personalized starting point for your next great weekend.

Google brings its Personal Intelligence personalization technology to AI Mode

Google brings its Personal Intelligence personalization technology to AI Mode A week after introducing a new personalization tool for its Gemini chatbot, Google LLC today brought the technology to its flagship search engine. The feature, which is called Personal Intelligence, is initially available to U.S. users with Google AI Pro and Ultra accounts. Google AI is a subscription offering that gives consumers to the company's most capable artificial intelligence models. It also provides certain other benefits including additional cloud storage space. The version of Personal Intelligence that debuted last week enables Google's Gemini assistant to customize its responses based on users' personal data. Consumers can give the chatbot access to that data by connecting it to Gmail and Google Photos. Google says that it won't train its models on the files users share with Gemini. The version of Personal Intelligence that started rolling out to Google Search today works in much the same way. It's part of AI Mode, a feature that was added to the search engine last year. It generates more detailed answers to user prompts than the standard interface. Under the hood, AI Mode uses a technique called query-fan out to generate responses. It breaks down each prompt into sub-topics and researches them separately with a large number of AI-generated queries. Going forward, the technology will be capable of pulling information from not only the public web but also users' Gmail inboxes and Google Photos libraries. Google says that the upgrade will enable AI Mode to personalize multiple aspects of its prompt responses. "If you need a new coat for your upcoming trip, AI Mode could automatically take into account the brands you prefer, as well as your flight confirmation in Gmail to identify the destination and timing (Chicago in March)," Robby Stein, the vice president of product for Google Search, wrote in a blog post. Personal Intelligence and AI Mode's fan-out query mechanism are both powered by Gemini 3, Google's newest series of large language models. AI Mode routes the most complex user queries to the top-end Gemini 3 Pro algorithm. Simpler requests are processed by the other models in the series, which uses less infrastructure. AI Mode personalizes its output based not only on users' preferences and files but also the data types a given prompt response contains. If an AI-generated answer contains structured numerical information, the feature can display a spreadsheet table. It's also capable of generating more complex graphics such animated star system simulations. AI Mode's data-specific interface customization is powered by a version of Gemini 3 Pro that has been enhanced with third-party tool integrations and error correction features. There are several ways Google could enhance AI Mode's implementation of Personal Intelligence in the future. The company can add integrations with more services besides Gmail and Google Photos, including third-party applications. Additionally, it could make the technology available to enterprise users. Developers, for example, might benefit from a version of Personal Intelligence that tailors coding-related search results to the project they're currently working on.

Google's AI Mode Gets Personal Intelligence

We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods. More info. Google introduced its new "Personal Intelligence" feature into Gemini last week as a way to further connect several of your Google apps to Gemini to get a more personal experience. The idea here was to connect the dots between data, find nuance, and better understand context for your queries in order to get you better info. Now, Personal Intelligence is expanding to Google Search's AI Mode to make your search experience even more personal. Google Search AI Mode Personal Intelligence: If you are a big AI Mode user, starting today, Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers should get an invititation to toggle on Personal Intelligence. Once on, your Gmail and Google Photos accounts will connect with AI Mode in Search, so when you go to search for something related to an upcoming trip or to shop, it'll pull from those sources to help find better results. Again, the whole point of this all is to make these Google products better understand you, so that as you search or look something up, it can return results based on your life or interests or experiences or history. That might sound like a privacy nightmare, so also know that you don't have to turn any of this on. It is off by default. OK, so what about examples of when you might use this? Google offered up the following to us: * Help me plan a weekend getaway with my family based on things we like to do * Make a scavenger hunt for [partner's name] to celebrate our anniversary. For each location, include a hint about us * I'm decorating [child's name] bedroom, give me ideas for a theme and suggestions for decor * If I were the heroine/hero from a book, who would I be? * What specific era of fashion do I actually belong in? * Recommend some books that fit where I am in my life right now * If I were a perfume [or cologne], what would my top notes and base notes be? So you aren't really using this to just look up a bit of info on a random subject. Google envisions you using AI Mode with Personal Intelligence to help plan, find recommendations, etc. Personal Intelligence is still only available to personal Google Accounts, not Workspace accounts.

Google rolls out opt-in "Personal Intelligence" for AI Pro and Ultra users

Google has integrated "Personal Intelligence" into its AI Mode, a conversational Search feature, allowing it to access user Gmail and Google Photos for individualized responses. The company announced the expansion Thursday, following Personal Intelligence's debut last week in the Gemini app. The opt-in feature has started rolling out to AI Mode for Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in English in the U.S. Robby Stein, VP of Product, Google Search, said Personal Intelligence provides recommendations that "fit seamlessly into your life," selecting recommendations without users explaining preferences or plans. He added Personal Intelligence can also assist with shopping, considering purchase history and flight confirmations for product suggestions. AI Mode can use a user's hotel booking from Gmail and travel memories from Google Photos to suggest tailored itineraries, such as recommendations for an ice cream parlor based on previous ice cream photos. For shopping, AI Mode can consider preferred brands and flight details from Gmail to suggest items like windproof coats for a trip to Chicago in March, matching weather and style preferences. Google states AI Mode does not train directly on Gmail inboxes or Google Photos libraries but trains on specific prompts and the model's responses.

Google's Personal Intelligence Comes to AI Mode in Search

Personal Intelligence is an opt-in feature and can be turned off Google is expanding Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Search. On Thursday, the Mountain View-based tech giant announced that the artificial intelligence (AI) technology that allows chatbots to connect to various Google apps and draw context to tailor the responses is now being added to AI Mode. With this, it can connect to Gmail and Google Photos to show results that are more relevant to the user. Interestingly, the company released the technology in Gemini earlier this month, highlighting that it will reduce the need for users to repeat details in queries. AI Mode Gets Personal Intelligence In a blog post, the tech giant announced and detailed the new upgrade to AI Mode in Search. It is currently rolling out as an experimental feature, as part of Google Labs. It will be available to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the US, in English. Also, Personal Intelligence is currently only available for individual accounts, and not for Workspace business, enterprise, or education accounts. Personal Intelligence in AI Mode lets users connect first-party Google platforms, such as Gmail and Google Photos, so that the search assistant can reference relevant information from those accounts when answering queries. Google said the feature can pick up cues from emails (reservations or bookings) and photos (locations or people) to provide context-aware suggestions and responses that would not be possible with generic web results alone. For instance, a query about local attractions and places to eat could prompt AI Mode to use a hotel confirmation email stored in Gmail and recent travel photos to recommend nearby venues tailored to the user's trip. Google shared another example where AI Mode can draw on photo content to suggest activities suited to past interests. These personalised prompts are only generated when users explicitly enable the feature and grant permission to access data from connected services. On privacy and security, the tech giant said that Personal Intelligence is an opt-in feature that is optional and is entirely user-controlled. Users must toggle the feature on in AI Mode, and they can disconnect Gmail or Photos at any time, which stops the AI from accessing those data sources. Google also said that while the system references connected data to help generate answers, it does not train its models directly on personal Gmail or Photos content; these interactions are limited to providing context for specific queries.

Google Expands Personal Intelligence Feature to AI Mode in Search | PYMNTS.com

Google announced the initial launch of Personal Intelligence in a Jan. 14 blog post, saying that when added to Gemini, it personalizes the AI assistant by connecting to Google apps and drawing information from email, photos and videos. The apps to which it connects include Gmail, Google Photos, YouTube and Search. Now, the company has expanded Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Google Search, saying in a Thursday (Jan. 22) blog post that the feature will personalize the search experience by connecting AI Mode to Gmail and Google Photos. "With Google Search, you should be able to ask any question and find precisely what you need," Robby Stein, vice president of product, Google Search, wrote in the post. "Accessing the world's information is the foundation, but the most helpful search experience brings together that global knowledge with insights that are relevant to you." The expansion of Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Google Search will do that, Stein said. As of Thursday, the feature is available to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers on an opt-in basis, according to the post. Personal Intelligence provides a more tailored search by providing recommendations based on the user's preferences or existing plans, drawn from Gmail and Google Photos, per the post. For example, it can recommend sneakers based on its knowledge of those the user has purchased in the past, suggest a travel itinerary based on information from emails and photos, and recommend a new coat based on the user's brand preferences and travel destinations, according to the post. To protect the user's privacy, connecting Personal Intelligence to Gmail and Google Photos is offered on an opt-in basis, meaning users choose whether to connect the apps to Search, when to do so, and when to turn those connections off, per the post. In addition, the AI does not train directly on the contents of Gmail or Google Photos; it only trains on specific prompts in AI Mode and the model's responses, according to the post.

Google expands Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Search

Google, following last week's rollout of Gemini Personal Intelligence, is now expanding Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Search, allowing users to access personalized recommendations and insights by connecting their Gmail and Google Photos accounts. The feature is designed to make Search responses uniquely tailored to each user. Personalized Search That Understands You Personal Intelligence enhances Google Search by connecting insights across Google apps. Users can opt-in to link Gmail and Google Photos with AI Mode, enabling the AI to provide responses based on their personal data, past activities, and preferences. This allows AI Mode to offer recommendations that fit the user's context, reducing the need to repeatedly explain preferences or plans. It offers: Tailored Recommendations With Personal Intelligence enabled, AI Mode can generate recommendations across areas like shopping, travel, and lifestyle. Examples include: * Travel: AI Mode can reference hotel bookings in Gmail and travel photos in Google Photos to suggest family-friendly activities, restaurants, and itineraries based on past interests. * Shopping: The system considers prior purchases, preferred brands, and upcoming trips to recommend items like weather-appropriate coats that align with user preferences. * Creative Queries: Users can ask imaginative questions such as "if my life were a movie, what would the title and genre be" or "describe my perfect day." Robby Stein, VP of Product, Google Search highlighted in the blog that internal testing showed users discovering suggestions they may not have otherwise considered, improving convenience and relevance. Privacy and Control Google emphasizes that Personal Intelligence is designed with user control and transparency: * Connecting Gmail and Google Photos is strictly opt-in, with the option to disconnect at any time. * AI Mode uses the Gemini 3 model but does not train directly on Gmail or Photos; only prompt-specific data and responses are used to improve functionality. * Users can correct AI recommendations or provide feedback with the "thumbs down" feature if results are inaccurate or irrelevant. Google notes that while Personal Intelligence can be helpful, errors may occur if unrelated topics are incorrectly connected or context is misinterpreted. A Smarter Search Experience By securely connecting Gmail and Google Photos, AI Mode in Search can deliver recommendations that account for personal schedules, preferences, and past experiences. From travel planning to shopping suggestions, the system aims to offer context-aware assistance that complements standard Search results. Availability and Access The Personal Intelligence feature is rolling out as a Labs feature for eligible Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in English in the U.S. over the coming days. It is not available for Workspace business, enterprise, or education accounts. To enable Personal Intelligence: Once enabled, AI Mode can provide personalized, context-driven insights and recommendations based on connected content.

Google brings Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Search: How it works and why it matters

Google has announced that Personal Intelligence is coming to AI Mode in Google Search. The feature allows Search to deliver more tailored responses by securely using a user's personal context from Gmail and Google Photos. The rollout begins as an opt-in Labs feature for Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in English in the US. Google is rolling this out to make Search more relevant to individual users. Let's understand this in depth. What is Personal Intelligence Personal Intelligence is Google's way of making Search feel more personalised by combining global web knowledge with insights drawn from a user's own Google apps. Instead of treating every query in isolation, AI Mode can factor in preferences, past activity, and upcoming plans if the user chooses to connect their data. In practice, this means Search can move beyond standard recommendations. It can offer suggestions that better match a user's habits, tastes, and real-world context, without requiring repeated explanations each time a query is made. How it works Users who opt in can connect Gmail and Google Photos to AI Mode in Search. Once enabled, AI Mode can reference relevant information such as travel bookings, purchase history, or visual memories to shape its responses. For example: * Planning a trip can trigger itinerary suggestions based on hotel bookings in Gmail and past travel photos. * Shopping queries can account for brands a user frequently buys, as well as upcoming destinations and weather conditions pulled from travel confirmations. Google says the feature runs on its Gemini 3 model. Importantly, the company states that AI Mode does not train directly on the contents of Gmail or Google Photos. Training is limited to prompts and responses within AI Mode, aimed at improving the system over time. Also Read: Amid AI delays, Apple is using this AI chatbot to speed up work Why it matters Search has largely been the same experience for everyone, regardless of individual needs. Personal Intelligence signals a shift towards a more assistant-like Search experience, where results are shaped around the user, not just the query. For users, this can save time and reduce friction, especially for travel planning, shopping, and everyday decisions. Instead of starting from scratch, Search can offer a more relevant starting point from the first response. That said, Google acknowledges limitations. The system may occasionally misinterpret context or connect unrelated information. Users can correct responses through follow-up prompts or provide feedback directly within AI Mode. From a broader perspective, this move also reflects the wider trend of large tech companies blending personal data with generative AI to differentiate their services. Google has a particular vantage point in this regard. Search is no longer just about finding links, but about delivering answers that feel more contextual and situational. Is it worth waiting for For users already paying for Google AI Pro or AI Ultra, Personal Intelligence could be a meaningful upgrade, particularly if they rely heavily on Gmail, Google Photos, and Search in daily life. The opt-in nature and clear controls make it easier to try without committing long-term. However, it remains an experimental Labs feature, limited to personal Google accounts and excluded from Workspace, enterprise, and education users. Its real value will depend on accuracy, trust, and how well Google balances personalisation with privacy as the rollout expands. Eligible subscribers in the US should see an invitation in AI Mode over the coming days. The feature can also be enabled manually through Search settings > Search personalisation > Connected Content Apps. Keep reading Digit.in to learn when it will be available in India.