Google Launches AI Personal Intelligence

Google has launched Personal Intelligence, a new feature within AI Mode designed to deliver personalised search responses by connecting users’ Gmail and Google Photos accounts. Currently available to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers who opt in, the feature is limited to personal Google accounts in the U.S. and in English. Workspace business, enterprise, and education accounts are not eligible for this rollout.

This update represents Google’s ongoing push to make AI search more context-aware, allowing the system to understand user actions and preferences across apps without requiring extensive input. By leveraging information from Gmail and Google Photos, AI Mode can offer recommendations that reflect a user’s plans, interests, and past activities, while keeping all sensitive data private.

How Personal Intelligence Works

The feature uses Gemini 3, Google’s latest AI model, to process queries alongside information from connected accounts. Importantly, the AI does not train directly on users’ emails or photo libraries; instead, it references the data for context-specific responses. For example, a user planning a trip could receive tailored activity suggestions based on hotel bookings in Gmail and previous travel photos, while someone shopping for clothing could see recommendations that consider weather forecasts, upcoming travel plans, and preferred brands.

This approach allows AI Mode to “connect the dots” across Google apps, creating responses that are highly personalised and relevant to the individual’s unique context. It marks a shift from generic search results to answers that integrate personal data safely and selectively.

Activating Personal Intelligence

Users can enable the feature through their Google Search settings by following a few simple steps:

Open the Google Search app and tap the profile icon.
Navigate to Search Personalisation.
Select Connected Content Apps and link Gmail and Google Photos.

Subscribers may also receive prompts to try Personal Intelligence directly within AI Mode as the feature gradually rolls out.

Privacy and Control

Google emphasises that the connections to Gmail and Google Photos are completely opt-in. Users can choose whether or not to enable them, and they can disconnect accounts at any time. AI Mode references connected data to enhance responses but does not store or use emails or photos to train the AI directly. Any feedback provided by users—such as correcting a misinterpretation—helps improve the feature without compromising privacy.

Despite these safeguards, Google notes that Personal Intelligence may occasionally make mistakes, such as incorrectly linking unrelated information or misinterpreting user intentions. Users can provide feedback to refine the accuracy of suggestions.

Practical Applications

Personal Intelligence is designed to make AI Mode more useful and intuitive. Some key examples include:

Proactive Assistance: Suggesting activities, travel plans, or shopping options based on personal data.
Contextual Recommendations: Considering details from previous interactions, such as flight bookings, past photos, or calendar events, to tailor suggestions.
Enhanced Efficiency: Reducing the amount of explanation required from users to achieve relevant search results.

This capability builds on the concept of “intent extraction,” allowing AI Mode to understand not just what users search for, but why they are searching, improving relevance and usefulness.

Significance for Users and Publishers

For everyday users, Personal Intelligence means AI Mode can deliver answers that are more precise and aligned with personal context. For publishers and content creators, this may affect traffic patterns, as personalised AI responses could answer queries without requiring users to click through to external websites. This could influence visibility, engagement, and overall discoverability in search results.

Background and Development

Google first teased this personal context feature at I/O 2025. Internal testing continued through December, with Google confirming that the system could interpret user interactions while keeping data secure. The current rollout brings the feature to a wider audience, allowing AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers to experience the benefits of a context-aware search assistant.

Limitations and Considerations

The initial rollout is limited to U.S. users on Android and web platforms. Google has acknowledged that results may not generalise to Apple devices or non-English language users. Additionally, while the AI can make recommendations based on personal data, it relies on accurate inputs and may occasionally misinterpret user intentions.

Looking Ahead

Google plans to expand the Labs experiment gradually over the coming days. Eligible subscribers will gain access automatically, and the company may consider future availability for free users or Workspace accounts. The broader adoption of Personal Intelligence could significantly reshape search behaviour, making personalised AI responses a standard part of online search experiences.

Ultimately, Google’s Personal Intelligence represents a step toward more intelligent, context-aware AI that can observe user behaviour, provide tailored suggestions, and improve convenience, all while maintaining privacy protections. As the feature evolves, it may serve as a foundation for future assistive AI applications across mobile and web platforms.