Google Workspace rolls out AI upgrades for hybrid work and content creation

From automatic room check-ins in Meet to AI-generated audio lessons, Google's new tools redefine collaboration. See how these upgrades simplify hybrid work and teaching.

, and Administrator

2026 February 16 . 1:07 AM

2 min read

In this picture we have a conference like round table, here we can see some people sitting around a... — In this picture we have a conference like round table, here we can see some people sitting around a table and they are indulging in some action like talking on serious matters. On the table we have items like tea cups, bag, paper and it seems like office meet and here there is camera which may belong to person in front.

Google Workspace rolls out AI upgrades for hybrid work and content creation

Google has begun rolling out a series of updates to its Workspace tools, targeting improvements in hybrid work and content creation. The changes include new features for Google Meet, Gmail, Classroom, and administrative controls for IT teams.

One of the standout additions is automatic room check-in for Google Meet, designed to reduce audio issues during hybrid meetings.

The latest Workspace updates introduce several key features. Google Forms now allows users to set automatic response cut-offs based on a specific date, time, or maximum number of submissions. This helps streamline survey and form management without manual intervention.

Google Meet has received enhancements to support hybrid work better. Automatic room check-in uses ultrasonic signals to detect when a mobile device is inside a meeting room. Once confirmed, it suggests the best way to join the call and minimises audio feedback and echo. The feature is available on recent versions of Google Meet and Gmail for both Android and iOS devices, with rollout starting this week in Rapid Release domains.

Near real-time speech translation in Meet is also expanding into broader beta access. This aims to improve communication in multilingual meetings by providing instant translations.

For educators, Google Classroom now includes a podcast-style audio lesson generator powered by Gemini AI. The tool allows teachers to create engaging audio content for students.

Gmail users will notice emoji reactions enabled by default, making quick responses more visual and interactive. Meanwhile, Google's AI video generation service, Vids, now supports portrait-oriented clips with better pacing, realistic audio, and smoother visual transitions.

IT administrators gain new controls as well. They can now disable Apple's Intelligence Writing Tools in Workspace iOS apps. Additionally, Google's Data Migration service allows seamless transfer of files, folders, and permissions from Dropbox to Google Drive.

The updates reflect Google's focus on refining hybrid work tools and content creation. Automatic room check-in in Meet addresses common audio problems, while AI-powered features in Classroom and Vids expand creative options. IT teams also receive more flexibility in managing Workspace apps.

The rollout begins this week, with features gradually becoming available across different platforms and domains.