| DUET AI PREVIEW: AI IN WORKSPACE

I got my hands on Duet AI, the generative AI for Google Workspace.

Here is what it does - and what is next.

How it works (for now)

Duet AI is Google's name for infusing generative AI into all of Google Workspace, including the consumer versions. It is a bundle of capabilities rather than a single new service. Duet AI is powered by the PaLM 2 model, the best and most powerful in Google's arsenal so far.

Two services support generative AI today, via a first "lab" (remember Gmail labs?) called "Help me write": In Gmail and Docs, there is a magic Wand button that will summon a prompt field that shows rotating examples. You type your prompt and can refine it using simple buttons or create endless versions of it.

Gmail's "help me write" is meant to be your starting point to writing quick emails. Docs' function is more sophisticated: It is not limited to starting points ("Generate a pitch about XYZ").  You can also use it as an assistant to draw content into your document.

Gmail will never stare at an empty page again

Duet AI will bring more functionality to Gmail, but it's already useful: There are no more blank pages: "Help me Write" means infinite personalized templates.

People are better editors than creators. Similar to how consultants never create slides from a blank canvas, but start from existing ones, you will save time by stating your intent and customizing the output. If something gets me 50 or 80% there - I'll take it!

How about some examples in Gmail. The more detail you provide, the better it gets:

• A thank-you note to my co-worker for completing the migration to Gmail. Mention that leadership liked it. Keep it to 2 paragraphs.

• A note expressing my condolences to my colleague on their mother's passing. (It refused this!)

• Respectfully asking Mr. ABC to sign off a project. Mention that we haven't talked since the XYZ convention.

Google Docs introduces a research assistant

Docs can do the same templating magic as Gmail. You can ask it for proposals, letters and draft emails with your team easier.

But there is much more! Gmail will refuse generic commands ("List the 10 largest countries in the world by GDP in a table. Include their population.") and Docs allows it. Also, Duet AI can insert snippets and paragraphs in Docs, so it becomes useful at all stages of creating documents.

Now, "Research assistant" is a bit much, and there are two big issues at the moment: Unlike Bard, Duet AI will not give you sources. Also, it's meant as a "creative writing aid" and you get different results if you run it again. So don't base your court cases on it yet, but watch this space. Two weeks ago, this function was limited to writing birthday cards to Aunt Sue.

We have questions

... immediate questions: How is this different than Bard or ChatGPT? For companies, Duet AI will be an enterprise product and protect companies' data - meaning your searches won't train Google's AI, just as is the case in Google Workspace today.

Duet AI's models are trained for a purpose, which limits what they can do, compared to Bard or ChatGPT.

Is it speaking in my voice? It would be cool if the generated text sounded exactly like you, but it does not - yet. Today, it is generic. Text in your email or document is not passed along as context, which means it can't shorten a document you have written or generate answers to emails.

How can I get it? At this moment, Duet AI is available in preview for consumers (meaning, your private Gmail account). There is a waitlist and a catch: Those from countries under GDPR and similar data privacy rules need to wait a bit longer.

The future of work is unfolding in Google Workspace. If you want to get a head start, jump on the waitlist (with your private Gmail account, perhaps on your phone) and see how work is about to change forever. Thank you for reading!

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