Gmail Gets Conversational AI Voice Search Feature

Google announced Gmail Live at its IO 2026 developer conference, a Gemini-powered conversational AI feature that lets users ask questions about their inbox aloud in natural language. The tool can answer follow-up questions, pivot between topics, and extract granular details like hotel room numbers or infer unnamed people from context. Gmail Live will not replace traditional search but serve as an additional option, likely informed by backlash over Google Photos forced AI search. The feature rolls out later this summer, initially exclusive to Google AI Ultra subscribers, with the existing AI Inbox overview expanding to Pro and Plus subscribers.