Google introduces Gemini Spark, a 24/7 agentic assistant with Gmail integration

Google introduces Gemini Spark, a 24/7 agentic assistant with Gmail integration Russell Brandom 10:45 AM PDT · May 19, 2026 In the race to build compelling personal AI agents, Google may have an underrated advantage: it already has all your emails. At the company’s I/O developer conference on Tuesday, Google announced a new agentic personal assistant called Gemini Spark that was built from Gemini base models and an agentic harness from Google Antigravity. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai described Spark as the next evolution of smart digital assistants, using agentic AI to take on long-horizon tasks with minimal oversight. “It’s your personal AI agent that helps you navigate your digital life, taking action on your behalf and under your direction,” Pichai told reporters during a pre-briefing of the product. “It runs on dedicated virtual machines on Google Cloud seamlessly, [so] you don’t need to keep your laptop open to make sure it’s running.” Spark follows a wave of popular agentic products from major AI labs, most notably Anthropic’s Claude Cowork and OpenAI’s ChatGPT Agent, but it will have particular value because of its integration with the larger Google suite of products. Spark will include out-of-the-box integrations with Gmail, Google Docs, and other Google Workspace products, saving users the work of setting up connections and permissions with outside 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 track the agent’s progress through the new Android Halo system. “Need to send an email to your boss with a status update? Spark can pull all the facts from your emails, your docs, your sheets, and slides and write the draft for you,” said Google Labs’ Josh Woodward, VP of the Gemini App and AI Studio. “Small businesses are using Spark. They can watch over their inbox, so they never miss a question from a customer.” Like other agentic assistants, Spark can be integrated into a wide range of services over MCP, and Google expects to roll out more connections in the months to come. Spark is currently in testing at Google; the company expects to make it available to Google AI Ultra subscribers next week. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. Russell Brandom AI Editor May 27 Athens, Greece StrictlyVC Athens is up next. Hear unfiltered insights straight from Europe’s tech leaders and connect with the people shaping what’s ahead. Lock in your spot before it’s gone. Most Popular Elon Musk has lost his lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI Tim Fernholz Users turn to jailbreaking their older Kindles as Amazon ends support Lauren Forristal OpenAI launches ChatGPT for personal finance, will let you connect bank accounts Ivan Mehta US orders travelers on Air Force One to throw away gifts, pins, and burner phones after China trip Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai OpenAI is reportedly preparing legal action against Apple; it wouldn’t be the first partner to feel burned Connie Loizos How to turn off Instagram’s new Instants feature and retract photos you accidentally shared Aisha Malik Musk’s xAI is running nearly 50 gas turbines unchecked at its Mississippi data center Tim De Chant X LinkedIn Facebook Instagram youTube Mastodon Threads Bluesky TechCrunchStaffContact UsAdvertiseCrunchboard JobsSite Map Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicyRSS Terms of UseCode of Conduct AnthropicSAPSamsungMarc LoreTechCrunch DisruptTech LayoffsChatGPT © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC.