Google Makes AI Features Free in Workspace, But There’s a Catch

There’s some good and bad news for users of Google Workspace. We’ll take a look at all of the changes.

Free AI Features, But a Monthly Subscription Increase

All of the AI features available in Gmail, Sheets, and more are now free. Previously, they cost an additional $20 monthly per user.

But don’t celebrate just yet. Google’s Jerry Dischler, Google’s president of cloud applications, Jerry Dischler, confirmed to The Verge that monthly subscriptions will rise $2 per month for each user. That will make the base subscription $14 for each person, up from $12.

Dischler told The Verge that companies previously were hesitant to pay extra for the AI features:

“Most of the time, when we talk to companies who are using AI, their big impediment is cost reasons,” he says. “That’s why they go in so gingerly. Like, ‘wow, this is a lot of money, and let’s prove the value.’ All right, now you get the AI. You have the value.”

Some of the Workspace AI features include summaries of messages in Gmail, design assistance for documents, and the ability to tokes notes during meetings with AI. Subscribers can also access Gemini Advanced and use the AI research assistant NotebookLM Plus.

Extending Gemini’s Reach

Like other companies who have poured billions into AI technology, Google is likely trying to find the right balance between recouping that investment and extending AI to more users.

Making all of the AI features free in the expansive and popular Google Workspace makes a lot of sense. Take a look at our guide to all the Google Workspace apps.

Google is also busy extending Gemini to every part of its ecosystem. A recent report says that Gemini could soon be your companion while watching YouTube videos. If you’ve never used Gemini, there are a number of good reasons to try it out.