MENA Newswire, SAN FRANCISCO: Google has begun rolling out a set of new in-line artificial intelligence features in Gmail that replace the Gemini side panel for some users, marking a shift in how AI assistance is delivered within the email platform. The update is being introduced gradually and affects a limited group of personal Gmail accounts using the web version of the service.
The change removes the dedicated Gemini side panel, previously accessed through a spark-shaped icon in the upper right corner of the Gmail interface. That panel allowed users to interact with Gemini in a chat-style format while remaining inside their inbox. Instead of a standalone panel, Gmail now surfaces AI tools directly within the context of emails, threads, and composition windows for eligible users.
Google has confirmed that the updated experience is currently available to certain subscribers of its paid AI plans in the United States. These include users enrolled in higher-tier consumer offerings that provide expanded access to AI-powered tools across Google products. Standard free Gmail accounts and Google Workspace business accounts are not included in the initial rollout and continue to display the Gemini side panel or have no AI features enabled.
Under the new design, several functions that were previously handled through the side panel are now integrated directly into the Gmail interface. Users can request summaries of long email threads, receive context-aware suggested replies, and ask questions about the contents of a conversation without opening a separate AI window. These tools appear inline, often as prompts or buttons embedded within the email view.
AI features embedded directly within email conversations
The “Help me write” feature, which assists users in drafting new emails or refining existing text, remains available and continues to function within the message composition screen. Google has also expanded proofreading capabilities, allowing the system to suggest corrections related to grammar, spelling, and writing clarity based on the context of the message being written or reviewed.
In addition, Gmail’s suggested replies have been updated to reflect more detailed understanding of ongoing conversations. Rather than offering brief, generic responses, the system now generates replies that reflect specific points raised earlier in the thread. This is intended to reduce the need for users to open separate tools or manually reference prior messages when responding.
The Gemini side panel had previously served as a central location for AI-assisted tasks, including summarizing emails, searching inbox history, extracting information from attachments, and creating calendar events based on message content. With the new in-line approach, some of those capabilities are now triggered automatically or through contextual prompts that appear alongside relevant emails.
Gemini access varies across platforms
Google has not announced a timeline for a wider rollout or confirmed whether the Gemini side panel will be fully retired across all Gmail accounts. On mobile platforms, including Android, the Gemini side panel remains available at the time of the update, and no changes have been announced for iOS users. The company has stated that availability may vary by region, account type, and subscription level.
The update reflects a broader trend within Google’s productivity software to embed AI assistance more directly into core workflows. Similar in-line AI features have been introduced across other Google services, including document editing and collaboration tools, where AI suggestions appear within the primary working interface rather than as separate panels or overlays.
For affected users, the change alters how AI assistance is accessed but does not remove core functionality. Features such as email summarization, drafting support, and smart replies remain available, though delivered through a different interface. Users who no longer see the Gemini side panel can still access AI tools through prompts embedded in emails or during message composition. Google has indicated that the rollout is ongoing and that feedback from early users will inform further adjustments. The company has not provided specific figures on how many accounts are affected or when additional users may receive the updated experience.
