Google adds Docs Live and Google Pics in Workspace AI update

The Google I/O announcements bring voice drafting to Docs, Gmail, and Keep, alongside AI image editing, AI Inbox updates, and Gemini Spark.

Google has announced new artificial intelligence features for Google Workspace, including Docs Live for voice-based document drafting, Google Pics for image generation and editing, AI Inbox updates, and Gemini Spark, a personal AI agent in the Gemini app.

The updates were announced on May 19, 2026, at Google I/O and apply to Google AI subscribers and Google Workspace business customers. The new voice features will roll out to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, and in preview to Google Workspace business customers, this summer.

Docs Live lets users draft documents by speaking, with Gemini structuring ideas, refining tone, and, with permission, pulling information from Gmail, Drive, Chat, and the web. The feature was also shared on LinkedIn by Merwan Hade, AI Product at Google and Product Manager for Docs Live.

The wider Workspace update includes Gmail Live for voice-based inbox search and new voice features in Google Keep that turn spoken notes into organized lists. More than four billion users use Google Workspace apps including Gmail, Docs, and Drive.

Google Pics has launched to a limited group of Trusted Testers and is set to roll out globally this summer to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, and in preview for Google Workspace business customers.

Docs Live brings voice drafting into Google Docs

Docs Live is designed to act as a voice-led drafting feature inside Google Docs. Users can speak ideas into Docs Live and ask Gemini to help organize those thoughts into a document, outline, or draft.

Docs Live can draw on information from a user’s Google Workspace account and the web, subject to user permission. That includes relevant details from Gmail, Drive, and Chat.

The feature supports hands-free document creation, with use cases including brainstorming, outlining, tone refinement, and first-draft generation. For teachers, students, and workplace teams already using Google Workspace, the practical question will be how much control users retain over source material, structure, and final edits once Gemini has produced a draft.

Hade wrote on LinkedIn: "I’m beyond excited to share a new feature we announced at #GoogleIO today: Docs Live!"

He added: "With Docs Live, you can quickly draft a document via voice while effortlessly pulling in insights from your Drive, Gmail, Chat, and the Web."

Google Pics adds image generation and editing

Google Pics is an image creation and editing app built on Google’s Nano Banana model. The app will support design from a blank canvas, editing of existing photos, and more controlled changes to generated images.

Google Pics includes object segmentation, allowing users to select and edit specific parts of an image without affecting the rest of the image. Users will be able to move or resize objects, change elements such as clothing color, and transform objects within a picture.

The tool also includes text editing and translation inside images, allowing users to modify text in a photo or translate it while maintaining the original design and font style.

Google Pics will be integrated into Workspace apps, starting with Google Slides and Google Drive. It will also include shareable canvases for collaborative image editing.

Gmail, Keep, and Gemini Spark added to Workspace update

Gmail Live will let users search their inbox by voice and receive synthesized answers. Example use cases include asking for a flight gate number or school information from email.

Google Keep is also getting voice features that allow users to speak ideas or notes, with Keep turning the input into organized notes and lists.

AI Inbox, previously announced for Gmail, is expanding to Google AI Plus and Pro subscribers in the United States. New features include personalized draft replies, links to relevant Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides, and task management controls.

Google also announced Gemini Spark, a 24/7 personal AI agent in the Gemini app. Spark can take action on a user’s behalf under their direction and is designed to ask first before performing high-stakes actions such as sending emails or adding events to a calendar. Gemini Spark in Google Workspace will be available soon in preview for business customers in the Gemini app.

The Workspace voice features are scheduled to roll out this summer to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers and in preview to Google Workspace business customers. Google Pics is available first to Trusted Testers, with a wider summer rollout planned for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers and Workspace business previews.