AI in Gmail, Docs and other Google services has become free, but Workspace subscriptions have gone up in price

Previously, to use all the AI ​​features in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Meet and the rest of the Google Workspace apps, you were required to pay for the Gemini Business plan at $20 per month per user. As of January 14, the plan became free as Google added all the AI ​​features to Workspace as it competes with Microsoft, OpenAI and others to create the AI-powered office suite of the future.

Image source: techspot.com

However, there is also a fly in the ointment in this barrel of honey – at the same time as canceling fees for AI functions, Google increased the price of all Workspace subscription options. Companies will have to pay, on average, about $2 more per month for each Workspace user. Of course, larger companies’ contracts may have different terms, but the base subscription price has increased from $12 to $14 per month.

Workspace AI features include access to the Gemini chatbot, email summaries in Gmail, spreadsheet and video designs, automated meeting notes, the powerful NotebookLM research assistant, and in-app writing tools.

According to Google’s president of cloud applications, Jerry Dischler, Google offers the most vertically integrated AI product, but that only matters if people use the entire system. “Most of the time when we talk to companies that are using AI, the main barrier is cost considerations,” he says. “That’s why they’re so careful about it.” Like, “Wow, that’s a lot of money, let’s prove the value.” Okay, now you get AI [for free]. You have value.”

Google isn’t the only company to ditch the AI ​​premium: In November 2024, Microsoft announced that Copilot Pro AI features, which previously cost $20 per month, would become part of a standard Microsoft 365 subscription. Other AI solution providers are also betting that “free” access to AI will pay off in the long run.