Google has announced a significant expansion of its “AI Inbox” functionality for Gmail, introducing conversational AI features at its IO 2026 developer conference. This new feature, powered by Gemini AI and dubbed “Gmail Live,” allows users to interact with their inbox using natural language questions rather than traditional search terms, aiming to simplify the process of finding information buried within emails.

Gmail Live is designed to help users quickly locate specific details, such as upcoming flight information, dentist appointment times, Airbnb door codes, or details about school events. Unlike traditional keyword searches, which can often be imprecise if a term appears across multiple messages, Gmail Live can understand naturally phrased questions, respond to follow-up inquiries, and even pivot to new topics mid-conversation.

Devanshi Bhandari, product lead for Gmail, demonstrated Gmail Live by asking the tool a series of questions about a child’s show-and-tell project, a class trip, and hotel and flight details for a trip to Detroit. The system showcased its ability to discern nuances, such as distinguishing between “field trip” and “trip,” extract granular information like a hotel room number, and infer the subjects of inquiries even when names are not explicitly mentioned. This conversational approach mirrors the interaction experience with standalone AI chatbots like Gemini or ChatGPT.

Google positions this enhancement as a practical application of its AI technology, addressing a common user frustration of difficulty in finding specific emails. The company hopes this tangible improvement will highlight the value of AI, especially at a time when its real-world benefits are sometimes questioned.

It is important to note that Gmail Live will not replace traditional Gmail search; rather, it serves as an additional option for users. This approach reflects lessons learned from a past “upgrade” to Google Photos, where an AI-powered search feature was initially mandatory but later made optional due to user backlash. The company also confirmed that similar voice technology will be integrated into Google Keep, its to-do list application.

Beyond Gmail Live, the platform is gaining other new functionalities, including ready-to-send drafts, instant file access, and improved to-do management with the ability to mark individual tasks as complete. The broader “AI Inbox” experience, which launched earlier in the year, is also expanding its availability beyond Google AI Ultra subscribers to include Google AI Pro and Plus subscribers, offering an overview of tasks and items across the inbox on a single page. However, the voice-powered Gmail Live feature will roll out later this summer and will initially be exclusive to Google AI Ultra subscribers.