An alert of significance has been issued to numerous Gmail users, particularly relevant if you are apprehensive about artificial intelligence scanning your emails. This recent cautionary update was shared online by well-known American TV personality and businesswoman Lori Greiner.
Over the weekend, the Shark Tank celebrity relayed a message on Instagram, advising those with Gmail accounts to stay vigilant and share the information with friends and family for added protection.
The concern arises from Google’s introduction of new AI smart functionalities aimed at analyzing inboxes to provide features like intelligent searches, contextual responses, and email digests. Despite Google’s assurance that it does not read messages for personal use, Greiner remains apprehensive.
In her Instagram announcement, Greiner emphasized, “If you are a Gmail user, do not disregard this alert.” She further highlighted Google’s practice of allowing AI to scan all emails, including sensitive content like financial documents, tax details, and personal discussions without user awareness.
If this worries you, there is no need to panic as disabling this setting is straightforward. Greiner reassured, “The positive news is that you can deactivate it in just 30 seconds.”
To turn off AI in Gmail, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to Settings and select “see all settings.”
2. Scroll down until you locate “Smart features.”
3. Simply deactivate smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet to halt Google’s email scanning.
4. Additionally, click on “Manage Workspace Smart Features” and uncheck the boxes for Workspace and other products to limit data usage by AI fully.
While Google maintains that personal data is not accessed by its team or third parties and assures data security, Greiner advises users who are uncomfortable with AI to disable the smart feature in Gmail.