Google adds AI Overviews, Proofread and new AI inbox to Gmail

Kicking off 2026, Google introduced three AI upgrades for Gmail: AI Overviews, a Proofread tool and a redesigned "AI inbox" interface aimed at boosting personalization and integrating its Gemini technology into the email experience. AI Overviews, previously used in Google Search, has been embedded into Gmail and responds to natural‑language questions by summarizing information drawn only from a user’s inbox.

Google gave examples such as asking what to pack for a trip or when a draft is due; Gmail VP of Product Blake Barnes said, "These are uniquely personal questions that only your inbox can answer for you, and that is the difference between core Google search and what we're doing here with Gmail." The new Proofread feature underlines phrases while composing messages and suggests edits for brevity and clarity.

Both Proofread and AI Overviews will initially be available only to G1 Ultra and Pro subscribers. The AI Inbox offers a different layout that synthesizes messages into items like a "Suggested to‑dos" section and "Topics to catch up on," and is being rolled out first to Google’s trusted testers as a separate selectable view rather than replacing the traditional Gmail UI.

Google said the features are launching in English in the US now and will expand to other regions and languages in the coming months, and Barnes told reporters the company will not collect data from user emails to train its AI models.

Key Topics

Tech, Google, Gmail, Gemini, Ai Overviews, Proofread