Google Workspace users just got a big AI freebie - Gemini

If you're a Google Workspace user, you probably spend much of your workday in Google's suite of productivity apps to help streamline your work processes. Now, Google is making its standalone AI chatbot available to Workspace users to make those tasks easier and save you time in the long run. 

Also: Gemini Live is finally hitting Android phones - how to access it for free

On Tuesday, Google announced that it will include the standalone Gemini app in Workspace Business, Enterprise, and Frontline plans. This app will be optimized to include enterprise-grade data protections to keep the organization's information safe. 

The addition of Gemini is significant because, before, organizations had to purchase the Gemini for Workspace add-on, priced at $20 per user per month in Gemini Business and $30 for Gemini Enterprise. The add-on is still the only way to access Gemini within the Google suite apps, which includes Gmail, Docs, Drive, Slides, Sheets, and Meet.

However, the standalone app offers much of the same Gemini assistance, such as help creating text and sheet formulas, generating images for Slides, explaining Documents, and more. The only difference is that instead of being integrated within the app, users would have to switch back and forth between windows. 

Also: Google's Gemini AI chatbot is now available to younger students in Workspace

Google also addressed people's major concern with integrating AI within their workflow and giving it access to sensitive company data by announcing new industry certifications for Gemini for Workspace, including SOC 1/2/3, ISO 27001, and ISO 27701, all industry security and privacy standards. 

Additionally, Google unveiled a new security advisor meant to act as a personal security expert and offer IT administrators actionable insights, threat prevention, and data controls to fend off cyber threats. 

Also: 5 ways to start using Gems in your workflows, according to Google

The advisor will send the insights, such as detailed recommendations to optimize security, to the IT administrator's inbox. This offering will begin rolling out to all Workspace Business edition customers over the next few weeks.