Google announced today that its Gemini chatbot will soon be able to access and analyze user data from Gmail, Photos, Search, and YouTube to provide more personalized and relevant responses. This new feature, dubbed "Personal Intelligence," aims to leverage the vast amount of personal data Google possesses to enhance the utility of its AI models.

The rollout of Personal Intelligence will begin in the coming weeks and will be available exclusively to subscribers of the AI Pro and AI Ultra plans. Users will have the option to connect each data source individually, allowing them to customize the level of access Gemini has to their personal information. For example, a user might grant access to their Gmail account while restricting access to their Google Photos library.

The move highlights a growing trend in the field of artificial intelligence: the use of personal data to improve AI performance. Generative AI models, like Gemini, typically produce better outputs when fed more information, and personal data can make the resulting inferences more useful to the individual user.

The introduction of Personal Intelligence raises important questions about data privacy and security. While Google emphasizes that the feature is optional and that users have control over which data sources are connected, concerns remain about the potential for misuse or unauthorized access to sensitive personal information. The company has not yet detailed the specific security measures in place to protect user data within the Personal Intelligence system.

Google has been experimenting with personalized answers in Gemini, but this announcement represents a significant expansion of those efforts. The company believes that by tapping into its vast trove of user data, it can create a more powerful and helpful AI assistant.

The development comes as Google's AI models are considered to be among the most advanced in the industry. By integrating personal data, Google aims to further differentiate Gemini from its competitors and solidify its position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The company has not announced when or if Personal Intelligence will be available to free users of Gemini.