Google has integrated artificial intelligence—specifically its Gemini model—deeply into many of its core products, including Search, Gmail, and Google Workspace apps. While some users appreciate these AI-powered features, others prefer to minimize or disable them entirely. Despite the pervasive rollout, Google provides ways to reduce AI’s presence in your account.
Reducing AI in Google Workspace
The most direct method for reducing AI influence is adjusting Google Workspace settings. This impacts Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Disabling smart features removes AI-driven suggestions and automations, but it also eliminates conveniences like automatic event creation in Calendar from Gmail or personalized search results.
To disable these features:
- Sign in to your Google account via Gmail.
- Click the settings (gear) icon.
- Select “See all settings.”
- Navigate to the “General” tab.
- Scroll down to the “Google Workspace smart features” section.
- Click “Manage Workspace smart feature settings.”
- Toggle both options to “off”: “Smart features in Google Workspace” and “Smart features in other Google products.”
This will significantly reduce AI in Google’s apps, though the Gemini icons may remain visible as a means for re-enabling features.
Dealing with AI Overviews in Search
Disabling Workspace smart features does not eliminate AI Overviews in Google Search. The company also offers Google Labs experiments to control AI features, but their functionality is inconsistent.
To reduce AI Overviews:
- Go to Google Search while logged into your account.
- If available, click the Labs icon (beaker).
- Find the “AI Overviews and more” experiment.
- Toggle the switch to disable the experiment.
This toggle may not yield immediate results, as AI Overviews are deployed in over 200 countries independently of the Labs setting.
A more reliable method is to simply add "-ai" to your search query. This simple trick often bypasses AI Overviews on both desktop and mobile devices.
The Bigger Picture
Google’s aggressive integration of AI raises questions about user control and data privacy. While the company offers some adjustment options, the underlying trend is towards greater AI influence in its products. Users who want to minimize AI must actively manage their settings and be aware of how Google continues to roll out new features.
The situation highlights a growing tension between tech companies and users over the direction of AI integration. Until Google offers a comprehensive opt-out, users will need to rely on these workarounds to maintain control over their digital experience.
