Google's next AI update for Gmail could let you ask it to write emails with your voice

Google introduced Gmail to the public on April 1, 2004, leading many to believe it was an April Fools' Day prank
(Image credit: Gmail)

If composing the perfect email isn't your forte, help could be on the way from Google, in the shape of a new AI voice feature for Gmail that’s set to make drafting emails less of a chore for Android users.

At its IO event in March last year Google announced a new ‘Help me write’ tool that creates draft emails based on written prompts that you enter – for example, you could ask the AI to draft an email party invitation, or a job application.

The feature is currently only available in Google’s invite-only Workspace Labs program, which enables selected users to try out new AI features before they’re rolled out to users more widely.

Now it appears Google is going one better, by enabling you to submit prompts with your voice, rather than having to type them. The updated feature is called ‘Draft email with voice’ and was spotted by Android blog TheSpAndroid. The new voice feature is also currently only available in Google Workspace Labs, and we don’t yet know when either of these AI tools will be officially released. 

Gmail’s new feature goes beyond the voice-typing functions you’ll currently find on a standard keyboard on an Android device. ‘Draft email with voice’, like ‘Help me write’, is integrated within the Gmail app, rather than being an option on your keyboard.

Built into Gmail

Gmail draft email with voice feature

(Image credit: TheSpAndroid / AssembleDebug)

As you can see in the images above, ‘Draft email with voice’ opens immediately above your device’s keyboard when you start a new email. You can then tap the microphone icon to start recording your prompt, for example, “Schedule a meeting with John for next Friday at 3pm to discuss the project”.

To submit the prompt, tap ‘Create’ and Gmail will generate a full email draft – you can then edit the text, or ask Gmail to generate a new version, and you can also supply feedback on the generated text. 

As mentioned, we don’t yet know when either ‘Help me write’ or ‘Draft email with voice’ will be publicly available, or which devices will support the features. But it's an interesting insight into the time-saving features that could be available in the Gmail app soon.

You might also like

Rowan Davies
Editorial Associate

Rowan is an Editorial Associate and Apprentice Writer for TechRadar. A recent addition to the news team, he is involved in generating stories for topics that spread across TechRadar's categories. His interests in audio tech and knowledge in entertainment culture help bring the latest updates in tech news to our readers. 

Read more
Google AI
Google’s incredibly lifelike AI can now call businesses for you – here’s how to use it
Google Meet create custom backgrounds
More AI features are coming to Google Workspace
Gemini on a smartphone.
I used Gemini AI to declutter my Gmail inbox and saved myself 5 hours a week – here’s how you can do the same
Google Meet on phone
Google Meet will now use Gemini to suggest "next steps" after your team meetings
Galaxy AI on the various Samsung devices on the right of the image, with Apple Intelligence feature on various Apple devices on the left
2025 will be the year the true AI assistant becomes a reality for Apple, Google, Samsung, and OpenAI – and it's going to happen fast
Android 15 logo on a phone, in a hand
Google is working on its own version of Apple’s Hide My Email, and you might soon be able to try it yourself
Latest in Email & Messaging
Gmail at 20
No joke, Gmail is 20 and we're probably better for it
Google introduced Gmail to the public on April 1, 2004, leading many to believe it was an April Fools' Day prank
Google's next AI update for Gmail could let you ask it to write emails with your voice
A laptop screen on an orange background showing the Gmail logo and an inbox
Final warning: it’s your last chance to save your old Gmail account from deletion
A phone showing WhatsApp video calling on a pink background
WhatsApp video calls get handy screen-sharing feature – here's how to use it
Gmail
Watch out Google users – your account could get deleted if it’s not used
Google Chat messaging friends
Google wants to make its Chat app a lot more personal by copying WhatsApp
Latest in News
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough
Brad Pitt looks over his right shoulder with 'F1' written behind him
Apple Original Films will take you behind-the-scenes of a racing cockpit in this new thrilling F1 movie trailer
AI writer
Coding AI tells developer to write it himself
Reacher looking down at another character from the Prime Video TV series Reacher
Reacher season 3 becomes Prime Video’s biggest returning show thanks to Hollywood’s biggest heavyweight
Finger Presses Orange Button Domain Name Registration on Black Keyboard Background. Closeup View
I visited the world’s first registered .com domain – and you won’t believe what it’s offering today
Image showing detail of the Leica D-Lux 8
Still can't get a Fujifilm X100VI? This premium Leica compact costs less, and it's in stock