Google introduces Gemini Spark, a 24/7 proxy assistant with Gmail integration, at IO 2026

In the race to build compelling personal AI agents, Google may have an underrated advantage: It already owns all your emails.

At the Google I/O developer conference on Tuesday, the company announced a new personal assistant called Gemini Spark that is built from Gemini core models and Google’s Antigravity utility.

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai described Spark as the next evolution of intelligent digital assistants, using agentive AI to take on far-reaching tasks with minimal supervision.

“It’s your personal AI agent that helps you navigate your digital life, taking actions on your behalf and under your direction,” Pichai told reporters during a pre-press conference about the product. “It runs seamlessly on dedicated virtual machines on Google Cloud. [so] You don’t need to keep your laptop open to make sure it’s on.

Spark follows a wave of popular proxy products from major AI labs, most notably Anthropic’s Claude Cowork and OpenAI’s ChatGPT proxy, but will have particular value because of its integration with Google’s larger product suite. Spark will include non-traditional integrations with Gmail, Google Docs, and other Google Workspace products, saving users the hassle of setting up connections and permissions with external apps.

Users can email Spark directly through a dedicated Gmail address, and the agent can interact with the web directly through Chrome. On mobile, you’ll also be able to track an agent’s progress through the new Android Halo system.

“Need to email your boss with a status update? Spark can pull all the facts from your emails, documents, papers, and slides and type up a draft for you,” said Josh Woodward, vice president of Gemini App and AI Studio at Google Labs. “Small businesses use Spark. They can monitor their inbox, so they never miss a customer question.”

Like other agent assistants, Spark can be integrated into a wide range of services via MCP, and Google expects to roll out more connections in the coming months.

Spark is currently in testing at Google; The company expects to make it available to Google AI Ultra subscribers next week.

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