Google Releases AI-Powered Smart Compose Feature for Gmail
Google launches its new Smart Compose tool for Gmail, which uses artificial intelligence to autocomplete words and phrases as users type. The experimental feature aims to save time on everyday emails but currently lacks the ability to draft entire messages.
Google releases its new Smart Compose feature for Gmail, bringing AI-powered autocomplete capabilities to users' inboxes. The tool predicts and suggests words and phrases as users type their messages, allowing them to simply press the Tab key to accept each recommendation. This technology works for both new emails and replies, aiming to reduce the number of keystrokes needed to compose standard messages.
To access the feature, users navigate to the gear icon in their Gmail inbox, open Settings, and check the box labeled 'Enable experimental access.' While the activation takes effect immediately for some users, others experience a slight delay before the tool appears. It is important to note that G Suite users currently do not have access to this feature, as it is either unavailable for business accounts or restricted by domain administrators.
While Smart Compose successfully finishes common sentences and questions, it does not currently write entire emails or extract context from incoming messages. It lacks the deep contextual understanding found in Google's existing Smart Reply feature, which provides quick, pre-written response buttons. Google labels Smart Compose as a work-in-progress, so users expect the AI to become more capable and intuitive as more people use it over time.