Google is developing a feature called “Proactive Assistance” for its Gemini platform that aims to provide context-aware suggestions based on user activity. This feature utilizes on-screen content, notifications, and data from selected applications such as Contacts, Messages, Gmail, and Calendar.
Proactive Assistance processes all data on-device in an encrypted environment, ensuring that it is not used for AI training or subjected to human review. This effort aligns with Google’s push toward increasing the contextual awareness of its Gemini platform, enhancing user experience through timely suggestions.
Earlier this year, Google introduced a feature known as Personal Intelligence, which incorporates data from apps like Gmail, Photos, YouTube, and Search to deliver tailored suggestions. Proactive Assistance builds on this concept by providing actionable insights even before users actively seek assistance.
The feature was identified in the Google app (version 17.18.22.sa.arm64), where users can enable it. Within the Gemini settings menu, Proactive Assistance can be toggled on or off, and users have the option to select which applications contribute data.
According to the in-app description, Proactive Assistance draws from three primary sources: current on-screen content, notifications, and data from apps that users specifically allow. Suggested actions can include timely reminders, contextual responses, and quick insights relevant to ongoing tasks.
A section labeled “Connected apps” enables users to manage which data sources are accessed by Gemini, currently including Contacts and Messages. Additional app integrations, such as Gmail and Calendar, have been mentioned as future possibilities.
Google emphasizes the importance of user privacy, stating that all data relevant to Proactive Assistance is processed on-device and stored securely. There is currently no specified timeline for a public rollout of the feature, but indications suggest it is nearing completion.
