On Wednesday, Google revealed that Gemini AI is rolling out to all Google Workspace Business and Enterprise users, now integrated into the productivity suite. Initially, all Gemini features will be available at no extra cost, but expect to see a price increase for Workspace plans soon.
Jerry Dischler, Google’s President of Cloud Applications, emphasized that this move simplifies their pricing structure. “By removing the need to pay for an add-on to access our latest generative AI capabilities, we’re bringing Google AI to all Workspace customers,” he stated in the announcement.
The AI features will be introduced gradually from January to March.
Previously, businesses needed a separate Gemini subscription that cost $20 per month for Business users and $30 for Enterprise users. Now, here’s how the updated pricing breaks down:
– The Business Starter plan, which offers basic storage and features, has gone from $6 to $7 per user per month.
– Business Standard, supporting up to 150 users in Google Meet and features like eSignature, increased from $12 to $14 per user per month.
– Business Plus, with added security and management tools, moved from $18 to $22 per user per month.
New customers will see these prices starting January 16, while existing customers will notice the changes on March 17 or at their next renewal. For those already paying for the Gemini add-on, the charges will stop after January 31.
Small businesses with 20 or fewer users might not feel the effects of this price change right away, as Google hasn’t detailed when they will transition to the new pricing.
By embedding the AI fee into its core Workspace plans, Google underscores that AI is now a vital part of its professional toolkit. This approach could help lessen the price shock for customers compared to standalone AI services that bill separately.
So, what can Google Gemini do for Workspace users? It acts as a digital assistant with generative AI features including note-taking, summarization, document analysis, video editing, coding assistance, and information retrieval. You’ll find Gemini integrated into:
– Gmail
– Google Chat
– Google Meet
– Google Docs
– Google Sheets
– Google Slides
– Google Drive
– Google NotebookLM
In addition to standardized tasks, “Gems,” specialized AI agents for distinct functions, will be included in all business plans. Google assures users that the data shared with Gemini won’t train future AI models, and robust data sovereignty controls are in place for security. Gemini meets several compliance standards, making it suitable for use in regulated industries.
