You can now talk to your Gmail inbox, as seen at Google IO 2026

Google has introduced "Gmail Live," a new conversational AI feature powered by Gemini AI, allowing users to interact with their Gmail inbox using natural language. This advancement, showcased at Google I/O 2026, aims to simplify the process of finding specific information without relying on keyword searches. Users can now ask questions about flight details, appointments, or event information, and Gmail Live will retrieve the relevant emails.

Before Gmail Live, users had to employ specific keywords or email addresses to search their inboxes, a method that often proved inefficient, especially when searching for broad terms. The new feature is designed to understand naturally phrased questions, respond to follow-up inquiries, and even adapt if the user interrupts.

Devanshi Bhandari, product lead for Gmail, demonstrated Gmail Live by asking about a child's school projects and travel plans. The AI successfully grasped nuanced requests and extracted granular details like hotel room numbers, even when not explicitly mentioned. This capability highlights Google's commitment to integrating practical AI solutions into its widely used products.

Gmail Live is an augmentation, not a replacement, for the traditional search function. This approach reflects Google's learning from past experiences, such as the backlash against an AI-only search in Google Photos, which was later made optional. The voice-powered Gmail Live will initially be available later this summer for Google AI Ultra subscribers.

In addition to Gmail Live, Google is enhancing Gmail with other features, including ready-to-send drafts, instant file access, and improved task management. The broader AI Inbox experience, which provides an overview of tasks and items in the inbox, will also expand to Google AI Pro and Plus subscribers.