Google Workspace, AI
Google is adding a new set of Gemini-powered updates to Workspace that change how people work with documents, videos, and presentations.
You can edit videos in the browser, have Docs read text aloud, and create images in Slides with short prompts. These updates aim to make hard tasks simpler and bring more capable tools into everyday workflows.
In this article, we go through the new features, how they work, who can use them, and what they say about the modern digital workplace.
Video editing in Google Drive with Google Vids
Google is improving video work inside Workspace by adding the AI-powered Google Vids tool directly into Google Drive. You can now make common edits in the browser, which should make video production faster for many users.
When you preview a video in Drive, you will see an “Open with Vids” button. Click it to open the file in the Vids editor. You no longer need to download the video, edit it in another app, and upload it again.
In-browser editing: trimming, text, and audio
In Vids, you can handle key edits right in your browser.
You can trim clips, add text overlays, and place audio tracks or music. Your changes are saved as a new Vids project file, so the original video stays intact. Plus, teams can even work on the same project and make updates together.
Beyond the basics, Vids uses Google’s AI models, including Gemini and Veo. With them, you can generate clips from short text prompts, draft scripts, and get suggestions for clip order and transitions.
Google Docs now reads your documents aloud
Google is adding a Gemini-powered audio feature in Docs that turns written text into natural-sounding speech. You can listen to your document, which can help with review, accessibility, or when you prefer audio over reading.
Go to Tools, then Audio, then “Listen to this tab.” The feature uses Gemini to produce speech that sounds more natural than a standard screen reader. As it reads, the text is highlighted so you can follow along.
Pick voices and playback speed
You can choose from seven different voice styles, such as “Narrator” or “Motivator.” You can also change speed, ranging from 0.5x to 2x.
Beyond individual listening, document authors can insert an “Audio button” into a document. Anyone who opens the file can click it to hear the content, without a complicated search through menus.
AI image editing for Google Slides and Vids
Google is also adding Gemini-powered image editing features in both Google Slides and Vids, to help people create better visuals without advanced design skills.
Replacing the background of an image in Vids (Credit: Google)
For example, a new “Replace background” tool lets you switch an image background using a short prompt. Select an image, describe the scene you want, and the AI creates it. You can swap a plain backdrop for a specific setting so the image fits your slide or video.
Expand image backgrounds to fit any aspect ratio
“Expand image background” helps you change the aspect ratio without stretching the main subject or cropping it awkwardly. The AI intelligently fills the extra space with a matching background. This is handy when you need one image to fit different slide layouts or video frames while keeping a natural look.
Availability, limitations, and Google’s AI strategy
These Gemini-powered tools can really enhance content work and day-to-day productivity, but access is limited and there are some technical constraints, too. The rollouts fit Google’s larger plan for deep AI integration across its entire Workspace platform.
Who can access these new AI features?
Access is focused on paid Google Workspace plans. That includes Business Standard and Plus, Enterprise Standard and Plus, and specific educational plans, like those with Gemini Education add-ons. Nonprofits and individual premium plans such as Google AI Pro and Ultra also have access.
However, they are not available on personal, free Google accounts.
Workspace admins can turn them off for an entire organization.
Current technical limits
Google Vids in-browser editing supports common formats like MP4, QuickTime, OGG, and WebM. Files can be up to 4 GB, and individual clips can be up to 35 minutes.
The new Listen feature in Docs works on desktop and only for English right now; with mobile support not yet confirmed.
These updates show Google’s broader approach. The company is adding Gemini-powered features to core apps like Drive, Docs, and Slides to make common work faster and content creation easier. This also sets up a direct contest with Microsoft and reflects a wider shift toward AI-driven productivity software.
Revolgy can help you turn this into a working setup. We can:
- Set up the features in your Workspace domain and review admin controls, permissions, and data policies
- Run hands-on Gemini training for your teams
- Build a pilot in your environment and measure the impact before you scale
