Disabling Google's Pushy AI Features: A Guide for Frustrated Users

Google's increasing push to use artificial intelligence features has left some users frustrated. For those who want to disable AI-powered tools, there are a few options available.

In Google Docs, a feature called Gemini has started appearing for some users as a large bar at the bottom of the screen. To hide it, click on 'Gemini' in the menu bar, hover over 'Bottom bar preferences', and select 'Turn off'. This will make the bar disappear from the screen.

If you want to go beyond simply hiding the bottom bar and minimize AI features within Google Docs, you can try disabling them through Gmail settings. However, this option is only available for personal accounts, not for enterprise or institutional accounts using Google Workspace. To access these settings, start from your Gmail account, click the Settings icon in the top corner, and select 'See all settings'. Under the 'General' tab, scroll down until you reach the 'Smart features' option and uncheck it.

Disabling this option will not only turn off Gemini in Google Docs but also disable several smart features in Gmail, including grammar suggestions, auto-correct, Smart Compose, Smart Reply, and nudges/reminders. It will also disable Gmail's spell-checker, though your browser's built-in spell-checking tool will continue to function.

Another option is using a Google Chrome extension called 'Bye Bye Gemini'. This extension hides Google's AI elements across productivity services in the browser, including Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive. However, it's worth noting that disabling Gemini does not necessarily mean rejecting artificial intelligence altogether.