Google unveiled new AI features for Gmail on 8th January 2026, including a personalised AI Inbox, AI Overviews in search, and a Proofread tool. The updates integrate functionality from Gemini, Google's large language model, into the 22-year-old messaging application. These capabilities initially launched in English within the U.S. to Gmail users and Google One AI Premium subscribers, with additional languages and regions planned for the coming months.
The AI Inbox tab comprises two sections: Suggested to-dos, which displays summaries of priority emails requiring action such as bill reminders, and Topics to catch up on, which groups related updates. AI Inbox identifies VIPs based on signals including people users email frequently, contacts lists and relationships inferred from message content. AI Overviews in Gmail search enables users to ask natural language questions and receive AI-powered responses, with this functionality rolling out to Google One AI Premium subscribers. Help Me Write, AI Overviews for threaded emails, and Suggested Replies are now available to all users, having previously been restricted to paying subscribers. Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs estimates employees save five hours per week on average using AI capabilities in Gmail.
Google is rolling out AI Inbox to trusted testers before broader availability in the coming months, whilst the traditional inbox view remains accessible. All Gmail AI features are optional, with Google stating it does not use personal content to train foundational models and processes personal data in a strictly isolated environment. Help Me Write and Suggested Replies are available at no cost, whilst the Proofread feature is reserved for Google One AI Premium subscribers.
Sources:
1. https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/08/gmail-debuts-a-personalized-ai-inbox-ai-overviews-in-search-and-more/
2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gmail-ai-google-help-write-messages-track-inbox/
3. https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/gmail/gmail-is-entering-the-gemini-era/
4. https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/gmail/how-to-use-gemini-gmail-app/
