Google Workspace Changes

Add AI avatars when converting Google Slides presentations to Google Vids.

Users can now enhance their Google Vids by adding AI-powered spokesperson avatars when importing content from Google Slides. These avatars are dynamically inserted throughout the video to make the generated content more relatable and engaging, complementing existing Gemini-powered features like script generation, voiceovers, and background music.

Google Meet now automatically redirects users to the live stream when an adaptive meeting reaches its maximum contributor capacity.

When an adaptive Google Meet meeting reaches its maximum capacity for contributors (those with camera, microphone, and screen sharing privileges), any additional users attempting to join the main call are automatically redirected to the live stream. In the live stream, users can still interact using reactions, chat, polls, and Q&A, depending on the host's settings. This update provides a smoother experience for large meetings without altering existing access settings or host controls.

Google Meet now allows administrators to require explicit consent from participants before recording, transcription, or Gemini note-taking begins.

Google Meet is introducing a new feature that allows administrators to require explicit consent from meeting participants before automatic note-taking with Gemini, recording, and/or transcription begins. This ensures that participants on supported devices must actively agree to be recorded, transcribed, or have notes enabled. The feature is OFF by default and can be enabled at the domain, OU, or group level via the Admin console.

Bulk import using client-side encryption and the Drive API is now generally available.

Client-side encryption (CSE) customers can now conduct bulk migrations of sensitive files from both cloud and on-premises data sources into Google Drive. This process ensures that confidential content is wrapped with customer-managed keys before being imported, allowing organizations to decommission legacy third-party storage while maintaining the CSE model throughout the document lifecycle using the highly configurable Drive API.

Custom persistent instructions for Gemini in Google Docs.

Google is introducing the ability to set custom, persistent instructions for Gemini in Google Docs, allowing users to define style, tone, and formatting preferences that Gemini remembers across conversations. Users can specify rules such as responding in bullet points or maintaining a professional tone via the Gemini side panel, with a limit of 1000 active instructions.

Google Workspace MCP server is now in public developer preview.

The Workspace MCP server provides a standardized bridge for AI agents to safely access Workspace capabilities. It includes dedicated tools for Gmail (drafting, searching), Drive (file fetching, permissions), Calendar (event management), Chat (message searching, replying), and a People dictionary for contact management.

Introduction of a standardized tiering model for Workspace agent tools and APIs.

To address risks associated with large-scale agentic actions such as API abuse and data egress, Google is introducing a standardized tiering model for all agent tools and APIs. This framework allows the majority of developers to continue innovating without friction while providing a predictable scaling path for high-volume applications.

New Photos management and bulk-deletion capabilities coming to the admin console.

Later this year, Google will introduce new Photos management and bulk-deletion tools in the admin console for Education institutions. These tools will provide administrators with better visibility into which users have migrated their data and allow for proactive management of Photos content to help free up critical pooled Drive storage.

Google Takeout Transfer now supports Google Photos for Education users.

Users in Google Workspace for Education can now use Google Takeout Transfer to migrate their Google Photos content—including photos, videos, and albums—from their school or university-issued account to a personal Google account. This ensures that students and staff can preserve their personal history and creative work when leaving an organization.

New customization options and an improved Decisions section for 'Take notes for me' in Google Meet.

Google Meet is enhancing the 'Take notes for me' feature by allowing users to customize which sections are included in their meeting notes, such as Summary, Decisions, Next steps, and Details, via an in-call menu. The update also introduces a dedicated 'Decisions' section to track outcomes and their status (e.g., Aligned, Shelved), and provides a more concise and scannable improved summary section.

Students in higher education (18+) can now create personal class notebooks with NotebookLM in Google Classroom.

Students in higher education aged 18 and older can now create their own personal class notebooks within Google Classroom using NotebookLM. These notebooks are grounded in materials provided by their educators, allowing students to generate custom study tools such as Audio Overviews, Video Overviews, study guides, flashcards, and interactive visual diagrams. Students can synthesize information across up to 50 source documents and receive grounded answers to questions via the Gemini tab, helping them better internalize and present their learning.

Create custom branded avatars in Google Vids using Nano Banana 2.

Google Vids now enables users to brand their custom AI-generated avatars by uploading a logo and utilizing the Nano Banana 2 model to refine the logo's sizing and placement. This feature ensures that AI presenters align with an organization's visual identity. Additionally, branded custom avatars can be saved within a Vid, allowing collaborators to use the same speaker for consistent branding across the project.

Beta program to double cell limits to 20 million

Google is introducing a beta program that allows organizations to double their cell limit in Google Sheets, increasing it from 10 million to 20 million cells. This increased capacity applies to new, existing, and imported files for participating organizations.

Gemini in Google Sheets now enables the creation and editing of complex spreadsheets using natural language.

Google has introduced advanced Gemini capabilities in Sheets that allow users to build entire spreadsheets, including data retrieval and formatting, from a single natural language prompt. The update features 'Workspace Intelligence' to synthesize data across Workspace apps, side-by-side editing for refining existing models, and advanced task fulfillment for creating pivot tables and complex formulas. Additionally, it incorporates advanced optimization powered by Google DeepMind and Google Research OR-Tools to solve complex optimization problems without requiring manual formula configuration.

Introducing Data Import for easier, faster, and higher-fidelity migration to Google Workspace.

Google is introducing Data Import, a new Google Workspace data migration tool for enterprises. This tool enables easier, faster, and higher-fidelity data migrations for emails, calendars, and contacts at no additional tool cost. It's a cloud-native solution accessible from the admin console, offering quicker migration speeds and no additional infrastructure costs. Additionally, a new migration planning utility is available to help with change management and forecasting for large-scale enterprise migrations from Microsoft 365 to Google Workspace.