Google’s Gemini AI is Now Included in Workspace, With a Price Hike
Google has fully embraced AI, but users may not be as thrilled with its push to integrate Gemini AI into every corner of Workspace. While the tech giant is now offering the Gemini AI tools without the previously charged $20-per-user upgrade, it’s doing so with a price increase for the base Workspace plan.
In a blog post, Google’s President of Cloud Applications claimed that AI isn’t just another tool but a “foundational shift in how work gets done.” Of course, that’s an easy statement to make when you’re selling the product. By eliminating the separate charge for Gemini AI, Google is incorporating the feature into all Workspace business tiers, though more advanced tools will still be reserved for Business Standard and Business Plus users.
However, the downside comes in the form of a price increase for Business Standard users. The tier is jumping from $12 to $14 per user per month, which, in Google’s words, is “only $2 more than they were paying for Workspace without Gemini.” For many, the increase won’t feel like much of a deal, especially since it’s a mandatory price hike, with no option to opt out. While Microsoft has already begun bundling its Copilot tools into Microsoft 365, Google likely felt compelled to follow suit. New pricing will apply to new Workspace business users starting tomorrow, but existing users will have until March 17 to adjust before the price increases.
