How Gemini for Google Workspace can benefit small business owners

While many people may be skeptical about experimenting with AI, there are several ways that it can help business owners, particularly those who are starting out.

By Lucy Mazzucco

Photo: iStock by Robert Way

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) making waves lately, business owners may be wondering whether hopping on this bandwagon is the right move for them. While many people may be skeptical about experimenting with AI, there are several ways that it can help business owners, particularly those who are starting out. From ChatGPT to AI generated image creators on websites such as Bing, business owners now have another realm to experiment with: Gemini.

Last month, Google announced that Gemini would soon be coming to Google Workspace, and, on February 21, 2024, Duet AI for Google Workspace officially became Gemini for Google Workspace.

According to Google, Gemini will allow customers to have access to its “most capable AI models.” This update also means that Gemini will now be built into the Workspace apps.

“With offerings for consumers, teams and organizations of all sizes, Gemini for Workspace can help you with tasks like organizing a birthday party, drafting a marketing campaign or writing a business plan for a new venture. Gemini for Workspace will also include a new standalone experience to chat with Gemini, with enterprise-grade data protections,” reads a Google blog post by Aparna Pappu, GM and vice president, Google Workspace.

“Millions of small businesses use Workspace to connect, create and collaborate. And they see the value AI can offer their business: In fact, a recent survey found that 88 per cent of small and medium-sized business (SMB) customers expressed interest in working with generative AI technologies to help them with data analysis, task management, email drafting, customer support and more.”

To promote this update, Google is offering Gemini Business for a lower price offering in hopes of helping businesses of all sizes start working with AI in Workspace.According to Google, the plan will allow business owners to have access to Gemini for Workspace for $20 per user per month with an annual commitment. This plan will include experiences that will help users write in Docs and Gmail, and even generate images in Slides.

Google also noted that customers have the option to purchase Gemini Enterprise, which replaces Duet AI for Workspace Enterprise. With an annual commitment, it will cost users $30 per month and will offer the same features as Gemini Business, but with additional usage and capabilities. As of February 21, Duet AI for Workspace was automatically upgraded to Gemini Enterprise.

Along with these updates, Google announced that they will be introducing a new experience to chat with Gemini which uses 1.0 Ultra. This feature will be available for Gemini customers at gemini.google.com.

“Because it uses 1.0 Ultra, our largest and most capable model widely available today, you’ll get insightful and expert responses with the ability to double check responses. For instance, if you’re a freelance marketing consultant, you could ask Gemini to help you understand business trends, competitive analysis and forecasting in order to create a go-to-market plan for your client,” reads the blog post.

According to Google, the chatting experience with Gemini will feature data protections, so that conversations are not shared or reviewed by anyone or used for advertising purposes.

While upgrading or adjusting to new technology can be overwhelming, Gemini is a tool that small business owners may think is worth exploring. From generating images for marketing purposes to having a chatbot on hand for typing out emails or newsletter content, this powerful tool can be useful to business owners who may not have a full team of employees helping them out just yet. Regardless of whether small business owners feel this tool is right for them, it’s important to remember that any form of AI can still make errors, so while it may save them time on certain tasks, they’ll still have to make time to double check things.