If you want to be the first to experiment with Google’s latest generative AI features, sign up for Google Workspace Labs. This invite-only platform allows users worldwide to “beta test” the latest Gemini features. It also allows you to access various new generative AI capabilities built into Google Workspace.
Notably, since Workspace Labs gives you “early access” to Google’s new features, they won’t always work perfectly. However, with Labs, you can test the capabilities for free. Plus, you can provide feedback to Google to help the company enhance its products.
Here, I’ll explain everything you need to know about Google Workspace Labs and why you should consider using it.
What is Google Workspace Labs?
Google Workspace Labs is an invite-only program launched by Google, allowing users to try out new AI features (in Google Workspace) for free.
Over the last few years, Google has invested heavily in AI development, introducing generative AI chatbots, like Bard (now Gemini), and its family of proprietary LLMs. Now, the company is rolling the capabilities of its Gemini bots out to various Google Workspace apps and tools.
According to Google, Workspace Labs gives business users and everyday Google customers a chance to experiment with the cutting-edge AI features in its products and share their feedback. Users benefit from being able to test out the latest features Google wants to embed into its products. On the other hand, Google gets direct input and guidance to help them enhance their solutions.
The Current Google Workspace Labs Features
If you’re approved to access Google Workspace Labs (I’ll show you how to sign up in a moment), you can use a range of AI-powered features across Google Workspace, for free, before they’re introduced to anyone else.
The biggest downside is that you may lose features once they’re made “generally available” if you don’t have the correct Google license. Plus, as mentioned above, there’s always a chance you’ll have to navigate a few bugs (at least initially).
Here are some things you can do with Workspace Labs within Google’s products right now.
Workspace Labs in Google’s Products:
- Google Docs: In Google Docs, Workspace Labs users can leverage AI to create and edit content. You can use Gemini to write and refine content in the Google Docs side panel. It can also summarize files from Drive and Gmail and create images.
- Gmail: In Google’s email tool, you can use “Help me Write” to draft emails with generative AI. Users can also summarize email threads, get suggested email responses, and rapidly search for information from emails and Google Drive.
- Google Slides: In Google Slides, users can create images with Gemini, remove backgrounds, and generate new slides. You can also summarize presentations, write or rewrite content, and surface information from Google Drive and Gmail while you create slides.
- Google Sheets: In Google Sheets, you can use the AI “Help me Organize” feature to create tables and graphs. You can also use AI to automatically detect and complete columns, summarize spreadsheets, create formulas, and refine tables.
- Google Meet: In Google Meet, users can access AI to create background images, improve Meet video quality, and simulate studio-quality audio and lighting. Plus, meeting notes and action items can be automatically captured during conversations.
- Drive: In the Google Drive side panel, Gemini can help you summarize files, pull information from documents, and answer questions. Users can also access Gemini in the Google Drive PDF viewer side panel to streamline the process of working with PDFs.
- Google Vids: In Google’s new AI-powered video creation tool, users can access AI to create videos from prompts, add text, images, and music to videos, and access stock content. You can also record your voice, screen, and your voice and collaborate on Vids in real-time.
- Keep: Currently, Workspace Labs users in Keep can access AI to “create lists”, to simplify workflows and to-do lists.
The Benefits of Google Workspace Labs
Ultimately, accessing Google Workspace Labs means you can explore the latest, powerful AI features appearing throughout Google’s productivity suite. Aside from unlocking a host of capabilities in all of the Google products mentioned above, you can also gain access to:
- AI overviews in search: Announced at Google I/O 2024, AI overviews in search help you rapidly answer questions when you’re looking for information online. These overviews are rolling out to all users broadly, but you get priority access as a Workspace Labs user.
- NotebookLM: Google’s AI-first Notebook is also available to Workspace Labs users. You can use it to ask questions about content from Google Docs, PDFs, Slides, and URLs. Plus, the solution can generate everything from summaries and FAQs to briefing documents, study guides, and tables to help you organize your work.
- MusicFX: If you want to create audio content without musical expertise, Google’s MusicFX solution can generate new songs based on simple prompts. You can even download and share the audio you produce.
- Illuminate: One of the newest Google Labs experiments, Illuminate helps users break down research papers into short audio conversations. Gemini AI adjusts the content you want to review based on your learning preferences to improve educational experiences.
- AI experiments: If you’re a developer working on AI projects, you can also share them with Google as a Workspace Labs user. Google says it’s constantly looking for insights into projects that can inspire and support other users. If Google likes your product, it might feature it in its “Experiment Gallery.”
On top of all that, you’ll be able to share your authentic feedback with Google as you explore the company’s new features. This means you’ll play a direct role in helping to determine which new products and solutions will appear in Google Workspace in the future.
How to Sign Up For Google Workspace Labs
Google Workspace Labs is an “invite-only” program. However, it is available to customers across 170 countries and territories. You can request access to any “test” experience. All you need to do to get started is visit the Labs.Google homepage, and click on the experiment you want to try.
After you click the “Get Started” button, Google will ask you to sign in to your Workspace account and let you know whether the feature you’re requesting is available for your account.
It’s usually a good idea to sign in with your personal account. Some enterprise Workspace accounts may restrict access to experimental features.
Notably, the signup process for each experiment can vary depending on what kind of features you want to use. Some experiments have specific instructions early users need to follow. Others might ask you to sign up to be added to a waitlist. If your chosen experiment has a waitlist, Google will email you when it’s your turn to try the feature.
Another point to remember is that experimental features are generally only available in a handful of languages. For instance, Google Workspace Labs users accessing new AI features in Gmail or Docs can only draft emails in English, Portuguese, or Spanish.
Checking for Workspace Labs Access
You can see whether your organization has requested access to new features within your account. For instance, if you’ve been approved to access new Google Docs features early, when you open a Doc, you’ll see the pencil icon (Help me Write), which you can use to generate content.
You can also choose to switch Workspace Labs features off. For example, in Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets, you can click Tools and select Opt out of Labs to exit the program.
Similarly, on Gmail and Meet, you can “Opt Out” from your settings tab. Remember, if you exit Google Labs, you will permanently lose access to all its features. Additionally, Google won’t allow you to “rejoin” the program with the same account later.
Troubleshooting Labs Features
Since Google Workspace Labs gives you access to experimental features and tools, bugs can occasionally occur. Google notes that, first, you should ensure you have the correct account to sign up for Workspace Labs. For instance, you won’t be able to use the experimental features with a School or Educational Google account.
Plus, the new features are restricted to users over 18, so if you’re younger than that, you might have to wait until they are rolled out for everyone.
Other quick troubleshooting tips to try include:
- Logging out of and back into your account: Logging out and back into your Google Workspace account can sometimes fix small bugs with your services. Relaunching your browser and clearing the cache could also be helpful.
- Check your language is set to English: Most experimental AI features available through Google Workspace Labs are only available in English. Before searching for features, check that your Google Account is set to English.
- Speak to your admin: If your admin opted you into a Workspace Labs experiment, ask them for any details they might have about bugs and issues. Ensure they haven’t disabled access to experimental features for Google account users.
Remember, you can also send feedback to Google directly, explaining any issues you might have, to help them address widespread problems with new capabilities.
Be the First to Try Google’s New AI Features
Google is taking massive strides in AI, introducing Gemini capabilities to virtually all its products and services. While many new features will be available to everyone in the future, signing up for Workspace Labs access is your chance to get ahead of the competition.
You’ll be able to try out Google’s new features before anyone else. However, remember that “early access” features might not work exactly as they should initially.
FAQs
What is Labs in Google Workspace?
Labs is an invite-only program for Google Workspace users, allowing them to experiment with new AI features before they’re made generally available. You can visit the Labs website to request access to any of Google’s current experiments with Workspace and AI.
How do I disable Google Labs?
To turn off Google Labs, you’ll need to access the product using the program (such as Google Docs), head to Tools or Settings, and select “Opt out of Labs”. When you opt out, you’ll permanently lose access to all Workspace Labs features. You also won’t be able to opt in again with the same account.
How do I join the Google Labs waitlist?
Certain Google Labs features will have a waitlist. When you click on a feature to test on the Google Labs homepage, you’ll see if you need to sign up for a waitlist. Enter your details, and wait for an email telling you you can access your chosen features.
