Google is enhancing its Gmail platform with a new feature designed to refine email drafts. The “Help Me Write” feature, which uses AI to assist with email composition, now includes a “Polish” option to make your emails clearer and more professional. This update aims to offer users an easier way to draft and refine their messages, but it raises questions about how much this technology can truly simplify the email-writing process.
What Is the ‘Help Me Write’ Feature?
The “Help Me Write” feature, introduced last year, was designed to help Gmail users with drafting and revising emails. Initially, it offered tools to make emails more formal, add details, or shorten them if needed. This feature was part of Google’s push to integrate more artificial intelligence (AI) into its services, making tasks like email composition easier and more efficient.
“The introduction of ‘Help Me Write’ was a significant step for Google in leveraging AI to assist with everyday tasks,” says Lisa Johnson, a tech analyst. “It aimed to make email drafting less tedious by offering tools to quickly adjust the tone and length of messages.”
New ‘Polish’ Feature
The latest addition to the “Help Me Write” suite is the “Polish” feature. This tool takes your draft, whether it’s a complete email or just a rough note, and refines it to a higher standard of professionalism. The default setting for “Polish” is to make the writing more formal, but users can request further adjustments if they prefer a more casual tone.
“With ‘Polish,’ users can expect their emails to come out sounding more professional and well-crafted,” explains David Martinez, a software developer. “It’s particularly useful for those who need to communicate in a formal setting but might struggle with wording and tone.”
The “Polish” feature is available on both the mobile and web versions of Gmail. To access it, users need to be subscribed to Google One’s AI Premium plan, which includes the Gemini Advanced suite of tools. This plan is designed for individuals who want advanced AI capabilities. Alternatively, educational institutions and businesses using the Gemini Education and Business add-ons will also have access to these features.
How Does It Work?
When using Gmail, if you write at least 12 words in your email draft, a new option called “Refine my draft” will appear. By selecting this, users can access various AI tools, including “Polish,” “Formalise,” “Elaborate,” “Shorten,” and “Write a new draft.” These tools offer different ways to enhance or adjust the draft based on user needs.
“This update to the ‘Help Me Write’ feature is designed to give users more control over their email drafts,” says Emma Clarke, a communications expert. “The ability to quickly refine drafts with AI can save time and ensure that emails are well-structured and appropriate for their intended audience.”
Availability and Costs
To use these advanced features, users must subscribe to Google One’s AI Premium plan or have access through educational or business accounts. The premium plan is an extra cost on top of Google’s basic services, which raises the question of whether the benefits justify the expense.
“While these features offer convenience, they come with an additional cost,” notes Michael Brown, a financial advisor. “Users need to decide if the time saved and the enhanced email quality are worth paying extra for the Google One premium plan.”
Is It Worth the Extra Cost?
The debate about whether AI tools like “Polish” are worth the extra cost continues. Some argue that for heavy email users, having AI assistance can reduce the time spent on drafting and editing. However, others feel that manually crafting emails may be just as efficient and ensure that the message feels more personal and less robotic.
“For people who write a lot of emails, the convenience of having AI tools might be beneficial,” says Sarah Thompson, a productivity expert. “But for occasional users, it might not offer enough value to justify the extra expense.”
