Google Gives Workspace Users Free Access to AI Features

Google's $20 monthly subscription for AI functionality on its Workspace products has been phased out.

The Itech giant said on Wednesday, January 15, that Gemini, its artificial intelligence (AI) model, will now be free for users of its Workspace Business and Enterprise plans.

“With this change, we are no longer offering the Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise, AI Meetings & Messaging, and AI Security add-ons for purchase,” Google said in a blog post. “Gemini is helping reduce the burden of mundane tasks, like taking notes during meetings and synthesizing long documents, and stepping in as a strategic thought partner to bring ideas to life and find ways to problem solve.”

Google announced that it was raising the costs of its Workspace Business and Enterprise plans beginning on January 16 even though it has removed the AI add-on fees.

“Existing customers with impacted Google Workspace Enterprise and Business plans or a Gemini for Workspace add-on subscription will receive an email with more information about price and subscription updates,” the company said.

According to PYMNTS Intelligence polls of chief operating officers (COOs), companies are increasingly using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to perform a variety of jobs.

COOs are tailoring GenAI to optimize its impact, as demonstrated in the research "COOs Find the Key for a Positive ROI on GenAI: Customization."

"COOs see GenAI as a key driver of future success, with expectations for significant returns on investment by the end of the decade," PYMNTS stated in November. "COOs are utilizing GenAI for more crucial tasks like cybersecurity management and production feedback."

According to the study, use has significantly increased, with 57% of COOs using GenAI to monitor output in August of last year, up from 32% three months prior. Simultaneously, the percentage of automated cybersecurity systems that employ GenAI increased from 17% to 55% within the same time period, demonstrating the growing confidence in its capacity to manage complex systems and defend businesses against cyberattacks.

“In addition to high-impact functions, COOs rely on GenAI for tasks like data visualizations, workflow management and routine automation,” PYMNTS wrote. “The share of COOs using GenAI for visualizations grew from 53% to 67% between May and August, underscoring its role in improving operational efficiency across departments.”