Google has introduced a new feature called ‘Personal Intelligence’ in its Gemini app, which allows Gemini to give more personalised answers by drawing information from a user’s own Google apps, including Gmail, Google Photos, Search, and YouTube. When the user chooses to allow it.
Instead of responding like a standard chatbot that treats every question the same, Google reveals that the AI can now tailor answers based on users’ data. Google says this makes the assistant more helpful for everyday tasks, especially for people who already live inside Google’s ecosystem.
According to Google, with the Personal Intelligence switched on, Gemini can connect the dots across different Google services. For example, if a user asks about a past booking, the AI could pull details from an email in Gmail. If a user is trying to remember where they parked their car during a trip, Gemini could reference a photo saved in Google Photos. It can also suggest ideas or reminders based on what you have searched for or watched on YouTube.
The aim is to reduce the time people spend searching through emails, photo libraries, or old search results. Instead of opening multiple apps, users can ask Gemini a single question and get an answer that reflects their own history and preferences.
This is a shift from how most AI assistants work today. While many tools can summarise information or answer broad questions, Gemini’s Personal Intelligence is designed to respond with context drawn from the user’s digital life.
Most AI chatbots rely on general knowledge and patterns learned from public data. They can explain concepts or help with writing, but they usually lack personal context. Google’s update pushes Gemini closer to the role of a digital assistant that understands individual users rather than just topics.
By combining information from emails, photos, and searches, Gemini can offer answers that feel more relevant. Instead of generic suggestions, responses are tailored to what the user has already done, saved, or searched for in the past.
This approach is similar to how human assistants work. They remember previous conversations, preferences, and habits. Google is attempting to replicate that experience with AI, using data people already store on its platforms.
Because the feature relies on personal data, privacy is a major concern, and Google has addressed this directly. Personal Intelligence is optional and switched off by default. Users must actively choose which Google apps Gemini can access, and those connections can be removed at any time.
Google says Gemini will also show or explain where information used in an answer came from, helping users understand how responses are generated. The company adds that sensitive assumptions, such as health-related conclusions, are avoided unless a user directly asks for that type of information.
These controls are important, especially as people grow more cautious about how artificial intelligence tools handle personal information. For many users, the appeal of convenience will be weighed against comfort levels around data access.