Personal Intelligence, the most significant upgrade to Gemini yet, is launching today, marking a pivotal moment in AI innovation.
This new feature allows Gemini to access Google apps and utilize your personal data for enhanced context in your queries.
Think of Personal Intelligence as a substantial advancement for AI chatbots, enabling Gemini to securely retrieve information from apps like Google Search, Gmail, Google Photos, and YouTube.
While Gemini could already interact with apps, this new capability is a game-changer. Imagine asking Gemini for assistance with a car issue, and the AI can directly access your purchase history from Gmail to identify your vehicle, check Photos for your last service date, and review YouTube for previous solutions you've searched.
Personal Intelligence in Gemini appears to be the AI personal assistant many have been anticipating. If it meets Google's expectations, it could signify a transformative moment for consumer AI.
The rollout of Gemini Personal Intelligence begins today in beta for Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the US, with plans for expansion to more countries and free users soon, as well as Search in AI Mode.
A First Glimpse at iOS 27's Siri?
New AI features are often touted as the 'next big thing,' but the examples shared by Google during the launch of Gemini's Personal Intelligence are genuinely remarkable.
One example highlighted was Gemini's ability to recommend the best tires for a user's car without knowing the model, even retrieving the license plate number from Photos autonomously.
Another impressive capability is Gemini's new feature that can create a travel itinerary unlike any AI chatbot has done before. Rather than merely linking popular destinations, Personal Intelligence uses all available information about you to suggest specific restaurants, activities, and even board games for the journey.
Personal Intelligence could represent Google's answer to the Siri that Apple promised during WWDC 2025. Following the announcement of Apple and Google's significant AI partnership, it wouldn't be surprising if this is our first look at Siri in iOS 27, albeit without the Apple branding.
Gemini is poised to power the next generation of Siri, potentially serving as a trial for Siri's upcoming capabilities before they are adapted for iPhone.
Privacy at Its Core
With new AI features that utilize extensive online activity, privacy concerns are understandable. However, Google assures that Personal Intelligence is designed with privacy in mind, allowing users to control how Gemini interacts with various apps.
Personal Intelligence is off by default, and Gemini only accesses data to fulfill specific requests. Since it integrates with other Google services, all data remains within Google, with no sensitive information shared with third parties.
Every action taken by Personal Intelligence will include a source, enabling users to see how Gemini arrived at a particular answer. This transparency ensures that if users discover that Gemini has access to personal information they were unaware of, they can trace its origin.
Additionally, Personal Intelligence is governed by safeguards for sensitive topics, meaning Gemini will only seek information from sensitive data, like health, if users permit it.
This feature is designed to enhance user comfort in sharing personal data with Gemini. Google emphasizes that Gemini will not train directly on your Gmail inbox or Google Photos library, ensuring your privacy remains intact.
How to Enable Personal Intelligence
If you're eager to start using Gemini's new capabilities through Personal Intelligence, the good news is that it begins rolling out to eligible users in the US today.
Personal Intelligence will function across Web, Android, and iOS, currently available only to personal Google accounts. Here's how to enable it:
- Open Gemini and tap Settings
- Tap Personal Intelligence
- Select Connected Apps (Gmail, Photos, etc.)