Google’s AI will reply to emails just like you speak
Google is developing a next-gen email assistant that writes responses in your tone, vocabulary, and communication style.
In a leap toward personalised automation, Google is developing an AI-powered email assistant designed to draft responses that reflect the user’s unique tone, vocabulary, and style.
The feature, under development at Google DeepMind, aims to reduce email fatigue by mimicking how individuals naturally communicate.
Dubbed internally as "Project Ellipse," the tool is intended to handle the day-to-day burden of inbox management.
According to recent announcements, Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, introduced the initiative during his keynote at the SXSW London festival, describing it as a next-generation system capable of managing inboxes, drafting personalised responses, and handling routine communications.
From sorting to summarizing and replying to messages, the AI assistant will offer responses that sound as though the user wrote them, rather than a robotic script.
Beyond autocorrect: AI as a communications proxy
The next-generation tool will reportedly integrate deeply with Gmail, learning from previous emails to adapt its language patterns to the user’s voice. It will recognise casual, formal, and professional tones, adjust based on the recipient, and even emulate regional phrases or idiomatic expressions used by the user.
This advancement marks a shift from template-based smart replies to dynamic, context-aware correspondence. For instance, an AI-generated reply to a colleague might read, "Let’s circle back on this next week," if that’s typical of the user’s phrasing, even if the original prompt was more generic.
Privacy and customisation at the forefront
Google says customisation and privacy are central to the tool’s development. All data used to train the assistant will remain user-specific and secure. Users will be able to review, edit, or reject AI-drafted responses before they are sent.
The assistant will also allow toggling between tones and previewing multiple suggested responses. These features are designed to give users editorial control without losing the benefit of automation.
Gradual rollout expected in 2025
While Google has not announced an official launch date, the AI assistant is expected to debut in beta by early 2025. Initially, it will be made available to Google Workspace premium subscribers, with a broader release expected later in the year.