Google could be your new personal assistant, but it can’t fetch your dry cleaning

Have you always wanted a personal assistant? Google is trying to be your version of Andy from The Devil Wears Prada. The tech company has launched a new email-based assistant called CC, powered by its Gemini model. While these assistants aren’t necessarily a new phenomenon, CC is unique in that it already has access to so much of your data through Google Suite. Because of this, it can do everything from giving you a rundown of your meetings for the day to flagging any outstanding questions in your Google Docs, without having to set up permissions.

Google says you can email CC at any time, asking it to remind you to send that email or add things to your to-do list. Typically, AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini haven’t been great at remembering tasks, sending reminders, or keeping tabs on the exact date or time, unless prompted. So if CC works the way intended and doesn’t hallucinate (tbd on this, since it’s still powered by Gemini), it could potentially be a useful tool. Currently, CC is only available to personal Google users (not Workspace accounts) with an AI Pro or Ultra subscription. Just don’t expect it to call in your prescription or book your dog’s grooming appointment. That’s still up to you.

The Good: CC already has access to your GSuite, and it can learn your preferences over time so it’s more tailored to your needs.

The Bad: CC is still based on Gemini, so there is the potential for hallucinations.