Google's New Gemini AI Feature and Its Impact on GSuite Users
Google has just activated a nasty new feature, and if you've ever signed an NDA, if you sign confidentiality agreements with your clients or suppliers, or you have any proprietary models or IP that you do not want to share, you're going to want to hear about this.
What is Google's New AI Feature?
Google has just automatically enrolled all of their G Suite customers into their Gemini training model.
That means that anything you discuss in personal email - whether you're a G Suite customer or the person that you're communicating with is a G Suite customer - is being used to train Google's AI models.
Now, AI companies like to claim that you have nothing to worry about and that your data will never end up in the public domain.
But Reddit is currently suing Perplexity AI (the owner of Claude AI) for exactly that.
And not only do we have numerous examples of exactly this happening, but this argument doesn't make any logical sense because these models need vast amounts of data.
Gemini needs your data.
If it didn't, they wouldn't be doing this.
So what can you do about it?
Well, if you're a Gmail customer, there's a relatively straightforward fix.
How to Opt Out: Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
On your Gmail homepage, navigate to your settings, then select "See all settings".
Step 2
Under the General tab, scroll down to "Smart features" and uncheck the box to turn off smart features.
Switch this off, then select "Turn off and reload".
Unfortunately, this also disables a whole range of other useful features that we've come to rely on in Google, like autocorrect.
However, depending upon how strictly you want to adhere to your confidentiality agreements, it may be worth the trade-off.
Step 3
Return to your settings and select "Manage Workspace smart feature settings".
You'll want to disable both smart features options here, then click "Save".
Watch the Full Step-by-Step Tutorial
Understanding the Trade-Offs
The other things that will be disabled include features like the Promotions tab and all of these other AI-powered features that we've kind of forgotten over the years.
And depending on how important they are to you, you may find this really frustrating.
If you want to know exactly what Google is doing with your data and how to protect it at the admin level, visit the >>Generative AI in Google Workspace Privacy Hub. It will give you a comprehensive list of what Google does with your data.
Come to your own conclusions as to how comfortable you are with the way that Google uses your data.
You can also request that your clients, customers, or suppliers turn this off.
If you are genuinely worried, you should review your current privacy and data use policies and speak to a commercial lawyer who specialises in this kind of matter.
How Clevr Copy Protects Client Data
What I've done personally at Clevr Copy to protect my clients' data - because I'm often the one developing the IP that they then own and sell - is I've made sure that all of my data protections are set to the highest level in the admin panel.
I've then switched those smart features back on selectively.
I also have honest conversations with my customers about their data use, and depending upon their needs and their level of comfort, I will switch those smart features on and off accordingly.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line is, we need to become really familiar with how these AI businesses are using our data. This line that they're not using our data to train their models doesn't pass the sniff test.
If you know anything about AI, you understand the enormous volumes of data that they need to train their models and to stay ahead of the competition. AI is now a massive speculative bubble.
These companies have invested hundreds of billions of dollars into their models. These companies cannot let AI fail. If they do, it's going to make the 2008 GFC look like child's play.
They need this data, and they're going to get it!
And whether you're a consultant, expert, small business owner, or you're in charge of a marketing function, or you have access to anybody's data, you are now in a position of trust, and it is your responsibility to educate yourself.
If you've got any questions about AI, how to use it, and how to keep your data safe, drop me a line at chat@clevrcopy.com.
Hi
I’m Stacey Ellis Fisher
I’m the brand strategist, conversion copywriter, serial founder and corporate escapee that experts call on when they need pitch-perfect positioning & high-converting copy that sounds like them and fills their calendar with dream-fit clients.
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