Google has unveiled Duet AI, a dynamic new addition to its range of Workspace apps. This innovation, which integrates seamlessly into Gmail, Drive, Docs, Slides, and more, aims to enhance productivity and collaborative efforts in the workspace. Offered at a monthly rate of $30, this advanced AI solution now places Google in direct competition with Microsoft’s AI-driven features in its Office suite.
Duet AI’s Extensive Features
- Acts as both a collaborator and a productivity booster, embedded in one chatbot.
- Can effortlessly convert a Google Docs outline into a presentation in Slides.
- Capable of creating charts from spreadsheet data.
- Serves as a creative aid, helping draft emails, generate images, and even ensure grammatical accuracy.
- Enables users to locate items in Drive and summarize lengthy documents.
- Unique app-specific features such as AI-driven lighting and sound modifications in Google Meet, and concise thread summaries in Chat.
Availability and Pricing
The Duet AI feature, which was first showcased at Google’s I/O developer conference, has now been made available to all users of Google’s Workspace apps. This sophisticated suite of AI tools won’t come cheap. Google has set a price tag of $30 per user, particularly for extensive organizations. However, according to Aparna Pappu, the head of Workspace, the pricing structure for smaller teams remains under consideration. Notably, this price point is on par with Microsoft’s AI system, Copilot, which offers analogous features across most Office apps.
A Competitive Edge in the AI Realm
Google’s stride into the lucrative domain of AI technology sales reflects its ambition to attain a firmer grasp on the booming cloud software market. As The Wall Street Journal noted, Thomas Kurian, Google Cloud’s CEO, is set to present a series of enhancements targeting corporate Gmail users at an imminent cloud conference in San Francisco.
Google’s introduction of these AI-driven tools, specializing in composing emails and summarizing extensive cloud-based documents, mirrors the offerings of Microsoft’s 365 suite. This strategic move is expected to intensify the existing rivalry between Google and Microsoft, the latter being the second-largest cloud provider. Further competition arises from OpenAI, the powerhouse behind ChatGPT, which has secured substantial investments from Microsoft.
Is Reliance on AI Safe?
Despite the myriad of features offered by these AI tools, there exists an underpinning concern about their precision. While minor AI errors might be innocuous, any misinterpretation or inaccurate generation of business-critical data could be detrimental. For instance, while an erroneous movie reference by Google’s Bard chatbot might be dismissed as a humorous blunder, a misrepresentation of a company’s sales figures by Duet could lead to serious repercussions. It is thus advisable for users to consistently verify the outputs of the AI.
Integration and User Experience
For Workspace enthusiasts, Duet will soon be a ubiquitous presence across all apps. Depending on the app, Duet can be accessed via a dedicated menu or directly within an email or document. However, given Google’s history of aggressively promoting its latest features, users might find Duet hard to ignore.
AI: The Future of Work?
With the roll-out of Duet, Google is not merely releasing a new feature but challenging the very fundamentals of workspace tools. Both Google and Microsoft perceive AI as a transformative force that could reshape our work modalities. If tools like Duet and Copilot surpass the rudimentary assistance level of, say, helping with resumes, they could indeed herald a new era of workspace productivity.
Looking Ahead
Google’s AI advancements signal the company’s dedication to stay at the forefront of technological innovation. By offering real-world applications of its AI technology, Google is not only strengthening its product suite but also showcasing its vision for the future of digital workspaces.
