Google Brings Gemini Personal Intelligence to Free Users

Google is widening access to Gemini’s “Personal Intelligence” feature, moving it beyond paid tiers and into the hands of free users in the US, with more platforms and regions to follow.

Personal Intelligence lets Gemini draw on information from a user’s other Google apps and services to produce more tailored responses, rather than generic answers. The feature first launched earlier in the year for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers; now Google is starting a broader rollout.

The expansion begins with AI Mode, Google’s dedicated search chatbot. From today, people in the US can switch on Personal Intelligence inside AI Mode. The setting is off by default.

To enable it, Google says users should:

• Tap their profile in the AI Mode interface
• Choose Search personalization
• Open Connected Content Apps
• Select Connect Workspace and Google Photos

Over the coming weeks, Personal Intelligence will also begin rolling out to free users of the standalone Gemini app in the US. Google plans international availability after that, though it has not provided specific dates.

The same staged approach is planned for Gemini in Chrome. Personalization will first appear for users in the US and then expand to other countries later on.

With Personal Intelligence switched on, Gemini can pull in signals from connected Google apps to customize its answers. Google highlights a few scenarios across AI Mode, the Gemini app and Chrome:

• Trip planning: If you ask Gemini to help plan an upcoming trip, it can use information from your apps to propose an itinerary that better reflects your preferences, instead of producing a generic travel plan.
• Tech troubleshooting: When you’re trying to fix a device but can’t remember the exact make or model, Gemini may be able to infer those details if there are clues about the product in your Gmail account, and use that context to give more relevant guidance.

Despite the deeper access, Google says Personal Intelligence remains opt-in. The feature is turned off by default, and Gemini will not personalize responses unless a user explicitly enables it via settings.

There are also account-level restrictions. Personalization is only available for personal Google accounts; Workspace business, enterprise and education accounts are excluded from this rollout.