This week, Google introduced a new feature for Gmail called AI Inbox. Instead of the usual email list, you see an AI-generated list of tasks and topics from your inbox. I’ve tried it out, and while it could be a game-changer, I’m not sure it will drastically change how I handle my email.
Currently, AI Inbox is still in early testing and is available only to select users, so most people won’t have access for now. It seems to focus on personal accounts and not the busier work emails, so my experience has been limited to my personal inbox.
Before using AI Inbox, my inbox was almost at zero—a testament to my well-honed email management skills. When I last checked, I had six emails waiting. Here’s what was in my inbox:
- A snoozed email from Chris Plante’s Post Games.
- An email from Flipboard’s Surf app.
- A message from my mortgage lender about my annual escrow summary.
- A shared Platformer newsletter I forwarded from my work email.
- A pitch from a friend for a quick post on The Verge.
- A newsletter from the gaming site Aftermath.
For me, this felt like a lot. I usually deal with emails quickly, but I wanted to see how AI Inbox would work with these.
After clicking the AI Inbox icon, the interface transformed. I saw summaries of emails, suggested tasks, and topics to follow up on—all designed to help me manage my time. Interestingly, it pulled in topics I had archived, like discussions about tax prep and potty training for my toddler.
AI Inbox sorts emails like a smart assistant. However, I found it overwhelming. Unlike my compact inbox, which shows email threads clearly, AI Inbox had me scrolling to see everything. The tool didn’t consider my strict organization style, surfacing emails that weren’t urgent, which is not how I prefer to operate.
Still, if you struggle with email management, these AI suggestions could be helpful. Blake Barnes, Google’s VP of product for Gmail, mentioned that many users are viewing AI Inbox as a way to enhance their email experience rather than replace it.
It’s important to remember that AI Inbox is a work in progress. Google has plans to add features, like marking tasks as complete and even suggesting replies based on your calendar. If all goes well, Gmail might evolve into a powerful assistant that streamlines email communication.
As of now, though, I’m hesitant. I’ve spent years fine-tuning my email workflow. While the AI could improve over time, my current methods suit me well.
If Google successfully implements these plans, AI Inbox may become an essential tool for many, but for now, it feels more like an experiment than a necessity.
Source link
AI,Google,Hands-on,Reviews,Tech
