Google has unveiled the extension of its Duet AI assistant to its entire suite of Workspace apps, such as Gmail, Drive, Docs, Slides, and others. This move comes after Duet’s extensive testing phase, which witnessed over a million users trying out the AI assistant. The feature is set to benefit subscribers of Google Workspace apps.
First introduced at Google’s I/O developer conference, Duet AI was promoted as a powerful collaborator for Google applications. It can transform a Docs outline into a Slides presentation, create graphs from spreadsheet data, craft email replies, generate images, ensure grammatical correctness, and even locate files in Drive. Duet is perceived as a fusion of Clippy’s user-friendliness and ChatGPT’s innovative prowess.
The term “Duet” also encompasses numerous specialized features tailored for specific applications. For instance, within Google Meet, Duet offers AI-enhanced sound and lighting adjustments coupled with automatic meeting recaps. In Google Chat, it provides concise summaries for lengthy discussion threads.
However, access to this advanced AI technology comes with a significant price tag. Google has set a monthly charge of $30 per user for Duet, targeting primarily large enterprises. According to Aparna Pappu, Workspace’s chief, the pricing details for smaller groups remain under consideration. Intriguingly, this pricing mirrors that of Microsoft’s Copilot AI system, which offers similar features across various Office applications. Such a cost might seem steep for emerging AI utilities.
Despite the promise, there’s a cautionary note for businesses. The foundational AI models for tools like Duet are yet to achieve perfection. Misinterpretations, especially with pivotal business data, can have serious ramifications. While humorous missteps like Google’s Bard chatbot imagining non-existent movies can be dismissed, errors like Duet inaccurately presenting company sales data can spell disaster. Therefore, any engagement with Google’s AI should be accompanied by vigilant verification.
The integration of AI in daily business tools can revolutionize productivity and creativity. However, the current state of AI requires users to approach with both excitement and caution. The premium pricing suggests a high value, but the real test will be in consistent, error-free delivery, ensuring businesses can trust and rely on the tool.
