Google is turning Gemini into a full AI agent for work. Announced at the Gemini at Work 2026 event on 8 October by Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, the new Gemini agent does more than answer questions. It plans tasks, uses tools, works across business apps and brings back finished work, all from a single prompt box.
The launch matters for Indian IT teams and startups already running on Google Workspace. Instead of copying context between chat windows, employees can delegate an outcome to the agent and return to completed work inside Gmail, Docs, Drive and the developer tools they already use.
What the Gemini agent actually does
You give the agent objectives, not step-by-step instructions. It handles knowledge work, answers questions, creates images and media, and writes and runs code. It picks the best model for each job and can hand parts of a task to subagents working in parallel. For work that runs long, the agent keeps going in the cloud after you close your laptop.
Google says the agent carries the same memory, skills and controls everywhere it runs. It also gets its own workplace identity, complete with an email address, so it can act like a team member such as a project manager or an analyst in a finance department.
Where you can use it
Gemini works directly inside Gmail, Drive, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Chat and Calendar. It is also available on web, iOS, Android, Windows and Mac, through the command line, and inside Microsoft 365 and Slack. For developers, the same agent runs headless, so it can be plugged into internal applications without a dedicated interface.
New data and analytics skills let business users ask plain-language questions and get operational insights in minutes. Google has also prepared industry-specific tools, connectors and knowledge for financial services and legal teams.
Security, governance and cost controls
For enterprises, Google is leaning on identity and policy management, permission controls, secure sandboxing and network gateways to keep agents in check. Cost controls include multi-model orchestration, Smart Routing and real-time spend caps, so a busy agent does not blow the monthly bill.
The scale numbers from Google are large. Nearly 500 Google Cloud customers each processed more than one trillion tokens in the last year, about 80% of Google Cloud customers now use its AI products, and nearly 90% of the Fortune 100 use Gemini Enterprise. The rollout starts with businesses. Consumer availability has not been detailed yet, and Indian pricing will be announced with Workspace plans.
FAQ
What is the Gemini agent?
It is Google’s single AI agent for work that answers questions, handles knowledge work, creates media, and writes and runs code. It plans tasks and returns finished work from one prompt box.
When can businesses in India use the Gemini agent?
Google is rolling it out to businesses first through Google Cloud and Workspace. The global launch happened on 8 October 2026, and Indian availability should follow Workspace plan rollouts.
Which apps does the Gemini agent work with?
Gmail, Drive, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Chat and Calendar, plus web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, the command line, Microsoft 365 and Slack.
Is the Gemini agent safe for enterprise use?
Google has added identity and policy management, permission controls, secure sandboxing and network gateways, along with real-time spend caps, to keep agent activity governed.
How is the Gemini agent different from the Gemini chatbot?
The chatbot answers questions in a conversation. The agent takes an objective, plans the steps, uses tools and subagents, and delivers finished work that keeps running in the cloud.
