The big AI companies really, really want you and your coworkers to use their chatbot at your job.
What happened: Google made the standalone Gemini AI app a standard part of Workspace. The chatbot had previously only been available after purchasing a Gemini add-on, which is still required to use AI integrations in things like Gmail, Docs, and Google Meet.
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Yesterday, OpenAI brought its Advanced Voice Mode available to ChatGPT Team subscribers, after making its “reasoning” model o1 available to Enterprise customers last week.
- Anthropic began the month by introducing its own enterprise-focused subscription, while startups like Cohere began by serving business customers exclusively.
Zoom out: ChatGPT currently has the name recognition in the AI space, but Google has inroads with millions of companies that use Workspace. Google is likely betting on the US$20 a month clients were paying for the Gemini app being less valuable than becoming the go-to chatbot for all of those clients.
- Sales tactics are a big differentiator when top models are neck-and-neck in terms of capabilities. While o1 turned some heads, it has kinks to work out, and the speed of AI development means Google could soon close the gap.
Why it matters: When the AI bubble bursts, developers that generate enough revenue to offset the massive investment will be the ones that survive. Enterprises who’ve been promised cost savings and improved productivity are more likely to pay than individuals, who only occasionally turn to AI for personal use, or see it as a novelty.
In Canada: Some businesses may be easier to draw in than others. Depending on the survey, roughly one quarter to one third of Canadian businesses are using generative AI, compared to more than half in the U.S. In those surveys, cost is often low on the list of barriers to adoption — quality of outputs, skill gaps, and figuring out how to govern AI are typically bigger concerns.