A few weeks ago, Google announced its plans to add generative AI capabilities to its Workspace productivity apps, including Gmail and Docs, when it said it would allow a limited group of “trusted beta testers” in U.S. regions outside the company to try out the new features later in March. That time has finally come, and the first testers have been invited to test the generative AI additions to Google Gmail and Docs.
Today’s Trusted Testing Program covers consumer, business and education users (18+) in the United States. This “small group” invited by Google to join must register and opt-in, and can opt-out of the program at any time.
These features will allow users to have the AI feature generate an entire email or document in Gmail or Docs, or they can rewrite an existing document or email to make it shorter or longer, or even change the tone of the message. Users will be able to edit these documents manually at any time.
Google said earlier this month that it will add more external users to its Workspace generative AI test in the coming months. For now, it looks like Google is selecting its testers and not yet allowing people to sign up for a waiting list.
Microsoft has also started testing its own generative AI feature in its Office applications, which it calls Copilot. however, for now this seems to be very limited. While technically the feature is not yet officially available for everyone to try, Twitter user XenoPanther discovered this week that Office Insider users on the Dogfood channel can enable Copilot in Word if they make some registry changes.
