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Getting started with Gemini for Google Workspace in MENA

Written by Jana Brnakova | January 23, 2025

Looking for a way to make your workday easier and more efficient? For over twenty years, Google Workspace has helped businesses around the world collaborate and grow. Powered by AI, Gemini helps you boost your productivity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Are you ready to get started?

What is Gemini and how does it work?

Gemini is Google’s advanced AI model, built right into Google Workspace, and it’s designed to assist with everyday tasks like drafting emails, summarizing documents, and analyzing data. Unlike previous AI updates, Gemini offers something different.

It’s a multimodal AI, meaning it can process and understand multiple types of data — text, images, audio, and video — all at once. This might be especially useful in the MENA region, where multilingual and culturally diverse communication is so important. Gemini can translate text while also understanding the context behind images and videos.

 

 

How to use Gemini

Gemini is integrated into a wide range of Google Workspace apps, giving you easy access to AI-driven features across your workflow. Users can use Gemini across many Google Workspace tools to improve productivity, for example in:

  • Gmail: Use the Gemini side panel to draft email responses, summarize emails and email threads, and query your emails. You can also ask Gemini to write emails such as birthday invitations or customer outreach notes.
  • Google Docs: Summarize the main points of a document, create outlines, brainstorm ideas, polish your writing, and generate images. You can also use the @ menu in Docs to generate inline summaries.
  • Google Drive: Summarize multiple documents, generate insights, find files, and analyze PDFs.
  • Google Sheets: Create tables, generate insights from spreadsheet data, and use enhanced Smart Fill to predict values.
  • Google Slides: Generate new slides, create custom images, and rewrite content. You can also remove backgrounds from images.
  • Google Meet: Gemini can take meeting notes in Docs, provide translated captions in real time, use adaptive audio, and create custom background images. It can also provide studio-quality audio and video.
  • Google Chat: Summarize conversations, generate action items, or ask specific questions. Gemini can also translate messages to your preferred language.
  • Google Vids: Create, edit, and share videos.

Easy access and Arabic language support

If you’re using a Google Workspace account or Google One AI Premium, getting started with Gemini is easy. You’ll see the Gemini icon in apps like Gmail or Docs, and you can simply click on “Ask Gemini” to start using it. The Gemini app is available in over 40 languages, including Arabic.

Gemini launched in Arabic in July 2023 and supports over 16 Arabic dialects. There are also new features for Arabic speakers, like Gems on Gemini in Arabic for personalized AI experts, Gemini for Teens, Imagen3 in Arabic for generating images with Arabic prompts, and Gemini Live for conversational experiences on mobile devices.

Plus, Google’s commitment to AI in the MENA region includes an Arabic-language AI training curriculum under the Google Digital Skills program (‘Maharat min Google’ and Coursera).

As part of its strategy, Google is simplifying its pricing model for Workspace customers. Gemini will now be included in the Business and Enterprise plans, making AI tools more accessible without additional costs. AI features will be available for Google Workspace Business and Enterprise plans in the coming weeks and months. Google is also committed to making Gemini even better and adding more features over time.

AI’s and Gemini’s economic impact in MENA

The benefits of Gemini for Workspace are clear. A recent study found that users save an average of 105 minutes per week using Gemini, and 75% of daily users report an improvement in the quality of their work.

According to the Economist Impact, the potential economic impact of AI in the MENA region is estimated at $320 billion by 2030, showing how critical AI is to driving growth. What’s more, AI's contribution to the economy is predicted to increase by 20-34% each year, with the fastest growth in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. These numbers show the huge potential for AI tools like Gemini for Workspace in the region.

Google’s investment in MENA

Google’s support for the MENA region goes beyond just software. In partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Google is expanding the Dammam Google Cloud region to set up an AI hub focused on improving Arabic language models. This hub will also offer AI training and create job opportunities in the region.

Additionally, Google.org has committed $15 million to support local organizations, with a goal of helping half a million people gain AI skills over the next two years. This initiative is part of Google’s broader plan to boost growth in the region and make sure AI benefits everyone

Government-led AI initiatives

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt have all created plans to develop AI. These plans focus on training people in AI and making it easier for businesses to use AI. Governments in the region are investing in AI to grow their economies and strengthen their tech industries. This government support could make it easier for businesses and the public sector to use AI tools like Gemini for Workspace.

Data security and privacy with Gemini

Google takes your data security seriously. When using Gemini for Google Workspace, you’re in control. Your data, prompts, and generated responses are never used to train models outside your domain without your permission, and they’re not sold or used for ads. You can always delete or export your content whenever you need to.

Gemini is designed with enterprise-level security to protect sensitive data. It only retrieves content you have permission to access, and you can set up controls to limit access to sensitive information. Plus, all the security features you’re already using in Google Workspace apply to Gemini, too, so there’s no need to worry about different settings.

Your content is never shared outside your organization

Your data stays within your organization. Prompts and content are stored alongside your other Workspace content and aren’t shared outside your company. Gemini also meets industry standards like SOC 1/2/3, ISO 27001/17/18, and even HIPAA compliance.

Admins have control too. They can turn off certain features, restrict access, or prevent AI from taking notes during meetings. Plus, submissions aren’t reviewed by humans or used to train models, keeping your data safe and secure.

With all this in place, you can be sure your data is secure, protected, and meets industry standards.

Getting more done with NotebookLM

Alongside Gemini, NotebookLM is another powerful tool in the AI ecosystem that can improve your workflow.

NotebookLM is an AI-powered tool that helps you process and summarize your own sources of information. You can upload documents, ask questions, and get summaries or answers quickly. It also converts your sources into audio overviews, AI-generated audio with two speakers talking about the selected subject.

 

 

Get started with Gemini thanks to Revolgy

Ready to take your work to the next level? Get started with Gemini, thanks to Revolgy. It’s easy to use, integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, and supports Arabic, making it the perfect AI partner for businesses in the MENA region.

Gemini keeps improving to help you get more done, faster. So why wait? Revolgy can help you adopt and start using Gemini for Workspace, with tailored advice and training for your entire team. Contact us today to find out more.

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