Google brings Gemini AI tools into core education Workspace plans at no extra cost

Google is expanding access to its Gemini artificial intelligence tools across Google Workspace for Education, adding selected features to core education editions at no additional cost.

In a statement, the company said Gemini in Gmail will be made available to Education Fundamentals users, while Gemini features in Docs, Slides, Forms, Vids and Sheets will be included for Education Plus customers and those using the Teaching and Learning add-on. The rollout will begin in the coming weeks for users aged 18 and over, with Gemini in Gmail and Gemini in Sheets following in the coming months.

For a lay reader, this means more students and educators will see AI assistance built directly into familiar tools such as email, documents and presentations, without schools needing to upgrade their entire Workspace subscription. Gemini can help with tasks such as drafting text, summarising information or generating ideas, reducing the time spent on routine work.

Google said administrators will soon be given more granular controls, allowing them to manage access to individual Gemini features within Workspace. This is intended to give schools greater oversight, letting them decide which AI tools are available to different groups of users rather than enabling everything by default.

The company stressed that Google AI Pro for Education remains its flagship AI offering for institutions that want deeper capabilities. That paid tier provides expanded access to premium models and features in Gemini for Education and NotebookLM, including Deep Research, which supports multi-step research and synthesis, and Nano Banana Pro, a higher-end AI tool. Google said AI Pro also includes more than 30 improvements introduced last year, integrations such as Gemini in Meet and Drive, and priority access to upcoming features including AI inbox, Proofread and AI Overviews in Gmail.

Alongside the Gemini updates, Google said Workspace Studio is now included as a core service in all Google Workspace for Education editions. Workspace Studio is powered by the advanced reasoning capabilities of Gemini 3 and allows users to build no-code AI agents in minutes.

For non-specialists, no-code agents are simple automated helpers that do not require programming. In an education setting, these agents can be set up to summarise meeting details, deadlines, attendees and attachments, then deliver that information automatically through Google Chat. The aim is to help staff and students manage information more efficiently without technical skills.

The changes reflect a broader push by Google to normalise AI as part of everyday productivity tools, rather than treating it as a separate add-on. At the same time, the company is trying to address concerns from schools about cost, control and appropriate use, particularly for younger users.

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By adding some Gemini features to core education plans, Google is lowering the barrier to entry while still differentiating its premium offering. The approach mirrors how many education institutions are testing AI cautiously, starting with limited use cases before committing to broader adoption.

Google said further updates are planned, signalling that AI integration across Workspace for Education will continue to evolve. For schools and universities, the challenge will be balancing the productivity gains these tools promise with clear guidance on responsible and effective use in teaching, learning and administration.

The Recap

• Google expands Gemini access across Workspace for Education editions.
• Some features roll out in weeks; Gmail and Sheets later.
• Workspace Studio included as core service in all education editions.